Courtesy Flickr user Mrs. Gemstone

I almost forgot there was an election today until I saw a VP walking around with his “I Voted” sticker. Compared to last year when everybody toted stickers it was a complete turn-around in turnout. Today polls opened in Virginia (and a few other states) for election of state officials. In Virginia the big race is the state Gubernatorial battle between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. With the election coming on a non-Presidential election day, we could possibly see the colors change this fall: from blue back to red.

The Washington Post reports that the low turnout could help an energized Republican party take back the top seat in Virginia:

Turnout was light, and interviews with voters at several Northern Virginia precincts showed little sign of the blue tide that swept Virginia a year ago, when the state played a pivotal role in the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president. Instead, many voters said they were distressed about the direction the country seemed to be taking under Obama’s leadership, and would vote for Republican candidates in part as a way to slow the pace of change.

I’ve long since lost interest in the local elections in my state, but I do believe in voicing my opinion- and you’ll see me step out of my office this afternoon to cast a vote, because if you don’t vote you can’t complain.

Polls statewide will be open til 7 P.M. today, to find your local polling station click here.

I will be blogging live on DC Metblogs during the final Presidential Debate at Hofstra University. I hope anyone interested will stop by during the debates- leave a comment or question while I continue to throw out my random commentary and running tally on buzzwords.

8:41 PM: Hello internet, I’m back for constantly update you with random thoughts about the final debate! It’s a little more than 15 minutes to go and here are my initial thoughts I have on top of my head coming into this debate:

• Towards the end of the workday I heard my state of Virginia is now apprently leaning towards Obama according to CNN. To me this is the latest in current pulling ahead of Obama in the polls. It’s clear that here in the DC area, as well as across the country, that Obama could not only win this election- but may even win big. I am still a little sketpical of how realistic a landslide could be- and others are as well. For me this debate is McCain’s last effort to stop the growing wave of Obama. I am waiting to see how McCain is going to play this last card in his deck.
• Bob Schieffer will be moderating the action tonight- will we see the candidates play by the rules? Or will this be another sit down message point delivery session?
• Will I pick better buzzwords this time around? I have 10 minutes now to pick some.

8:59 PM: Ok after looking at the C-SPAN Debate Hub (thanks Steve) some of the keywords that have been mentioned so far include President, Taxes, Spending, and Billion. Obvious words that would be said- but I’m looking for the buzzwords that wouldn’t normally be said. On that note I will look for these phrases: “voted with bush 90% of the time”; “just doesn’t understand”; “ready to lead”; “I got the scars to prove it”; and “maverick.”

Read the rest under the more tag…

9:02 PM: FYI, I’m watching the CNN feed again, and Wolf Blitzer just mentioned the stock market- it fell a whole lot today so I expect that to be the first section of questioning…

9:04 PM: I am right on with the first question- it’s on the economic crisis. Bob tried to lay down the law: “if you don’t follow up- I will.” He also called them out by saying enough with the message points- let’s hear something new.

9:08 PM: McCain and Obama both want to help homeowners- McCain wants to buy mortgages and Obama wants to find a more direct way to help homeowners. McCain responds with quite the parry- calling him out on an interaction with a plumber in Ohio… looks like McCain is ready to fight “for his country” once again…

9:10 PM: Why I like the “Joe the plumber” comment- it immediately sets the table that McCain is going to be tough on Obama. Here is my disclosure: I am a Democrat and I will be voting for Obama- however I want to watch something exciting and right now this may something besides a power point presentation.

9:13 PM: McCain needs to go on the offensive and we know he’s ready for it- I think he needs to be careful on how he comes off, he needs to deliver his points in a way that looks like he’s the leader, not a complainer from the other side of the aisle. CNN’s dial testing is reacting positive to both sides.

9:15 PM: The public wants to hear details and I’m happy to start hearing them.

9:18 PM: Now we have a debate people! I am hearing arrangements here not message points. I also prolly picked the wrong buzzwords again.

9:21 PM: Again with the overhead projector! Maybe Obama’s hometown needs a way to watch some movies while they are out of jobs! Words I should of picked: “no doubt”; “overhead projector”; “Joe the plumber.” I’d prolly be really buzzed right now if I was drinking. Oh- McCain is taking on the Bush analogy! I should of also picked “hatchet and scalpel”- do you really use a hatchet when you need fine precision?

9:24 PM: With that list Obama just let out- sounds like he’s a Maverick! Guys doesn’t McCain look kinda stiff in that chair with his pen? Kind Bob Dole like. See that’s what he needs to watch out for- he can argue but he’s gotta look like a personable leader.

9:25 PM: That’s right McCain- you do have the scars to prove it! That’s Scars – 1. Time for a drink of water.

9:27 PM: If we did 10 town hall meetings, McCain would of gotten lost somewhere in the middle of North Dakota as he wonders off as Obama responds to an answer. McCain sounds hurt about some comments that were said against him- I hope he doesn’t cry on camera.

9:29 PM: Tip- if you don’t do town hall meetings with John McCain, he will hate you and will not send you an e-vite to his birthday party.

9:32 PM: Man McCain got to watch the Cowboys/Cardinals game? I had to go to a wedding. What the two need to watch out about is arguing over being negative against each other- it’s going to happen, the American people know it will, and we just wanna talk about the issues.

9:34 PM: I liked how Obama is trying to get back to the issues, McCain is clearly trying to attack character and tactics- problem is McCain is now sounding like a whining kid that is getting picked on too much on the playground. What do you think? Can we start talking about the issues again?

9:38 PM: John McCain is now moving on to painting Obama as a crook and terrorist. Obama responds by fully explaining the situation with William Ayers & ACORN- good move I think. Also if you wanna read more about what McCain is talking about with John Lewis should see the AP article.

9:40 PM: 40 minutes in and we have answered one question on the economy and the rest has been about campaign tactics.

9:41 PM: That’s right Joe Biden knows where he came from- he should be in a shoe ad. I can’t wait to see what John McCain says about that hottie Sarah Palin.

9:43 PM: Yes Sarah Palin is a role model for women, if Hillary only did what she did…

9:45 PM: Obama is being nice to Palin there- good move. McCain is right, Sarah Palin has been exciting and getting people involved into the political process that haven’t been before… people like Sarah Palin.

9:47 PM: Uh oh we are behind! Not surprised- time to talk about Climate Control Change (thanks McCain!)

9:49 PM: I hear so much about clean coal it makes me wonder how big the lobby is for that. Don’t get me wrong, I think that if we have to use coal it should be clean- but how is it the top answer for both sides? Is nobody working on clean coal right now? Is it the revolutionary idea that nobody has thought of that we need to enact on 1/20/09?

9:53 PM:As we get closer to the first hour of the debate I want give a shout out to fellow DC Metroblogger Monica who’s joining us below- always happy to have her opinion and comments alongside mine. Oh ya the two are free traders that have opinions about oil. I have to say that that McCain is well prepared with lots of things to say about Obama. What you may not see if Obama equally as prepared in handling a McCain that may come out swinging like he did tonight.

9:57 PM: Tough question on health care… I hope America knows Obama’s plan by now because he’s explained it at every debate- not knocking on it, just saying that repetition should put it in memory.

10:00 PM: Hour 1 is done! Good comments below for anybody just reading along I suggest they join in the fun! I think McCain does look a little peeved and like I said above, it’s not going to help. Good point on clean coal was said by the cheezedude, I didn’t realize that it’s a big part of the industry of many battleground states.

10:02 PM: We know that both sides will take plans and spin them in a way that makes them look good- McCain shouldn’t be surprised that Obama knows his own plan and is able to defend it.

10:03 PM: “I have the scars to prove it” – 1, “Joe the plumber” – 4-5…. oh wait now 5-6…

10:06 PM: Fundamental differences… I have to admit that McCain is appealing to his base with his comments… I hope you are listening Joe. Can we find him so he can go on TV and declare who he’s voting for? Why does this feel like the movie “Swing Vote?”

10:07 PM: Federalist? I thought McCain was a Republican.

10:09 PM: Of course he would “consider” someone- but will you ultimately choose someone? John McCain will you consider Joe the Plumber if he is nominated to the supreme court?

10:10 PM: Thank goodness I write for DC Metroblogs and not CNN- I have to commend the speed they had to research in order to find out Who is Joe the Plumber?

10:12 PM: I haven’t heard about Obama’s “present” voting record since the primaries…

10:16 PM: McCain just threw a punch at the pro-choice movement. I can imagine the anger tomorrow…

10:18 PM: Last question already? Looking at the tempo of the debate Bob Schieffer knows that it’s going to be long winded answer…

10:20 PM: McCain just stole Obama’s “no doubt”… just sayin’…. yes let’s find teachers another line of work… in another school… maybe as a PE teacher or a soccer coach….

10:21 PM: A classroom if McCain had his way with soldiers transitioning into teachers: “Class today we are going to do what I know: how to rip apart an M-16, torture prisoners, and toss a football around the camp…now drop and gimmie 50!”

10:23 PM: America’s Youth is the future- I am the future! McCain should look at the college graduation rates… it’s a problem…

10:24 PM:McCain thinks that DC is a success with the voucher system? I don’t think so- just ask USA Today. As someone that hears the local news here- the education system is in trouble in DC.

10:27 PM: Ohhhh Bob is plugging a website- that why it’s commercial free…

10:29 PM: McCain sounds like that we need a change… too bad that Obama said that first…however we do know that McCain is a careful stewart… of big business’ money.

10:31 PM: Obama comes off more relaxed with his closing remarks. He’s got a message of hope and it’s resonating with CNN’s dial testing group… and that’s it- and in the word’s of Bob’s mom, “Go vote now- it will make you feel big and strong!”

10:40 PM: Ok time to listen to the days of analysis- I will leave you with my quick hits:

• McCain did his best in this debate and came out on the attack that he needed to, however he got too caught up on campaign ads and looked like he was hurt and emotional at times.
• Obama was more restrained in reacting and could of gone on the offensive at times as well but didn’t. However Obama did a good job in defending and clarifying his positions.
• Both sides stuck to their party ideals- if you are a liberal or a conservative you heard things you liked… and things you didn’t like. How did the independents feel? I don’t know.

Well it was really fun to do this again- I enjoyed reading everyone’s comments and maybe in 4 years we can do it again. Good night everyone!

Well tonight is the 2nd Presidential Debate at Belmont University. I know the a lot of us in DC will be watching and tonight I will try and blog live from DC Metblogs during the debates- providing the “joe six-pack” view. Maybe I’ll even crack open a six-pack; I’m sure good amount of viewers will have their drinking game sheets in hand.

If things go well I’ll be back before the debates and I encourage those to keep DC Metblogs up during the debates and feel free to comment away during the debates!

8:24 PM: Hi everyone (or maybe just myself)! I just emptied my bladder, grabbed a slice of pie, and I’m

settled down to watch this debate. I’ll be watching the feed from CNN tonight- I don’t know what people think of their use (or overuse) of timers, graphs, and polls. I could definitely feel overwhelmed with information with all that junk up there. However I love it.

Wolf Blitzer just said Al Gore is in the house and so is John King with the magic wall. Who knew that in 2008 we would be analyzing the news using a “magic wall”?

8:39 PM: I won’t be some of the few out there in DC drinking along with the debates but I did decided to track a couple of buzzwords: “Maverick”, “Change”, “Main Street”, and my personal favorite “voted with bush 90% of the time.”

8:50 PM: 10 minutes to go! Listening to talk on the format of tonight’s debate- it will be a town hall format where the candidates will be talking to an audience of undecided voters. Tom Brokaw will moderate and questions will be selected from the audience as well as e-mails that Brokaw selected before hand. CNN just reported that there were over 6 million thousand questions submitted. I didn’t hear that they were looking for questions.

9:00 PM: Here we go, 90 minutes of fierce talking point delivery!

See the rest of the night’s live blog underneath the more tag…

9:03 PM: Alan Shaffer delivers the first question: What’s the fastest, best way to help Americans suffering from economic crisis? Obama basically hits his usual points on government regulation and oversite- McCain takes the energy independence route… and he also wants to buy up the bad mortgages- interesting that he wants a larger government presence.

9:10 PM: Hmm Warren Buffet as Treasury secretary… For those that don’t know about him- his company, Berkshire Hathaway, currently has share valued at $124,000 per share. Pretty good for the world’s richest man- maybe he can raise our stock.

9:14 PM: Obama delivers the first attack on McCain… interesting how the candidates are using language like “bailout” and “rescue”…both have different meanings…

9:17 PM: Everybody is writing letters- don’t people know e-mail is faster? Maybe they should of facebooked the Treasury Secretary- that way everyone can see it!

9:19 PM: Doesn’t anybody wanna be a Maverick in order to solve the economy? Oooh- Obama was so close to dropping the 90% line!

9:23 PM: McCain talks about how he challenged his party- isn’t that being a Maverick? If he would only say it… John, I got a Maverick count at 0 man! People are waiting to take a shot! I should of started a “My Friends” count…

9:26 PM: As I stare at CNN’s dial testing graph- it’s mostly neutral and I can see why. I feel that both candidates are delivery the typical talking points that I’ve heard before. McCain wants to drill and Obama wants reform and tax cuts for the middle class.

9:30 PM: 30 minutes down- it looks like the candidates are taking too much time, but who doesn’t during these things? Both parties agreed to the rules and both parties will break the rules. At least both candidates want to examine the budget. McCain mentions an overhead projector as an example of overspending- but doesn’t want to cut it (and also tries to associate the item with Obama.) That was a weird move.

9:34 PM: Obama talks about how young people can serve- and as a person of this young generation I agree that service is something that is growing and hopefully will grow with every succeeding generation. Also it’s clear that this election has seen a lot of participating from young Americans- and it makes me excited!

9:37 PM: Here’s a difference the two have- selective spending freeze cuts (Obama) vs. cuts across the board (McCain)… McCain just compared Obama’s tax policy to nailing Jello on the wall… I wonder how long he was waiting to unleash that one. McCain directed a statement at McCain Obama- it’s good to see he can acknowledge him!

9:40 PM: Again Brokaw is trying to keep order- I wonder if there has been a moderator that has been able to do that in a debate. Yes! Obama dropped, “Looks like Straight Talk Express lost a wheel!” I hope McCain has AAA.

9:42 PM: I picked the wrong buzzwords- I currently have 0 on all words. For those that don’t know Tip- Tip O’Neill (D- MA) was speaker of the house from 1977- 1987. Interesting to hear McCain mention him and Reagan in the same sentence.

9:47 PM: McCain is mentioning himself working with Joe Lieberman a lot, I wonder if he’s trying to hint at working across the aisle… of course Lieberman is no longer a Democrat…it appears both candidates like any other energy source besides oil- unless you are McCain then you want to drill too.

9:48 PM: Wow- Brokaw is really trying to keep these guys on time, calling out the warning lights. I loved McCain’s response, “Tom, just waive your hand!”

9:50 PM: McCain: “Who voted for that bill [Bush energy bill]? That one! [Pointing at Obama] Who didn’t vote for it? Me.” All I have to say is- OH SNAP!

9:54 PM: On Healthcare- Obama restates his universal plan, accuses McCain of offering tax credits when he’s raising premiums on employers… and also drops the first change reference! McCain: “Let’s put medical records online, it’ll reduce ‘medical errors’ as they call them…” What else would I call a medical error?

9:59 PM: After Healthcare section: Change – 2, Maverick – 0

10:00 PM: 30 minutes to go- so far I think both candidates are doing ok, there has been little jabs but nothing big.

10:02 PM: Talking about jabs- McCain is working the foreign affairs and experience issues against Obama. Obama fights back by trying to link him to Bush- especially with Iraq. When Obama repeats the costs of the war- does it mean more to you with the current economy situation we are in?

10:06 PM: In addressing Sammy’s comment- I heard that as part of rules negotiated for this debate, there were limits on showing reaction shots from the audience. For instance if an audience member asks a question- they won’t show that person’s reaction to the answer. Is it just me or did they bring the audience in more in the first half but now Brokaw is asking more and more questions?

10:08 PM: Oh good an audience question: Katie Hamm asks about military presence abroad.

10:12 PM: McCain wants to carry a big stick- does he have trouble walking? For some reason I feel like I’ve heard this point before… oh ya last week but instead of McCain it was Sarah Palin saying it. You can tell that it’s the same ol’ talking points but now it makes me realize how the VP debates were nothing more than the VP candidates delivering the same points.

10:14 PM: Oh boy Obama wants follow-ups, McCain wants follow-ups to the follow ups…Brokaw must be secretly going out of his mind with this controlled chaos.

10:16 PM: Bomb Bomb Bomb- Iran, is that song available on iTunes? I agree with Frank’s comment- politician’s should be able to figure out how to delivery points in a minute…. McCain knows how to “get him”, but I’d love to know how he is going to do it.

10:19 PM: Shout out to fellow DC Metblog writers Frank and Monica, I’m thinking out loud but maybe we should have a live blog panel for the next debate. None of us are political experts but we are all from DC ;-) Actually I think the whole idea for this was to encourage live conversation, especially with the local crowd (and all of our friends.)

10:21 PM: Wouldn’t it be scary if you looked into someone’s eyes and see any letters? In your eyes- the light, the heat- in your eyes- I am complete…

10:23 PM: Petro dollars- that’s gotta be the new buzzword.

10:24 PM: Brokaw asked both candidates for a yes/no answer and Obama gave him a paragraph and McCain gave him a “maybe”.

10:26 PM: Here’s the “randomly selected” question on Isreal- whoa is that in the rules for McCain to pet the people asking questions?

10:29 PM: Again, I’ve heard Obama’s answer- except it was Joe Biden’s head instead of Barack’s…

10:30 PM: Here’s my explicit opinion and reaction: out of all the points here I strongly agree with Barack’s foreign policy position… we see a little Michelle Obama in the house- but why no Al Gore?

10:34 PM: Last question: Obama wants “fundamental change” (drink!) McCain knows what it’s like to be in the Vietnam war, and wants to serve the country -both candidates really treated the question like their chance for a closing statement.

10:36 PM: Look candidates- you both have disrespected Tom Brokaw by not following any of the rules, but if there is one thing you don’t do, you don’t get in the way of a man’s teleprompter! Tom’s going to have to lay the smack down now!

10:44 PM: Well the debate is over! I have to say that for me it was flurry but a really great experience- thanks to everyone that read along and commented. I think that discussion about the issues and the candidates is an important part of the election process and I encourage everyone to get involved in this year’s election.

Both Obama and McCain delivered their points without any major snafus. CNN right now is saying that McCain needed to gain some ground in this debate- I don’t think he said anything that really did that. Honestly I heard the same old talking points, and I guess for McCain that wasn’t good enough to gain any ground- he had that one little moment where he said Obama voted on Bush’s energy plan and he didn’t. I don’t think that was anything huge.

10:55 PM: Final count: Change – 7 (checking rough transcripts), Maverick – 0 Good night everyone!