McCain treated forum as campaign event reprising well worn jokes and stump speech...

[dkf]

McCain, who has town hall forums from New Hampshire to California, appeared to treat the forum more as a campaign event, often reprising his well-worn jokes and stump speech segments. But he used humor often to the delight of the audience, and connected well with the crowd when he told several stories that underscored his own celebrated history as a POW.

But Obama also showed strengths: He appeared more thoughtful and comfortable discussing faith and domestic issues, exploring with relish the issues and moral dilemmas with Warren.

On the volatile issue of abortion, for example, Obama told Warren - who decried what he said were 40 million abortions since Roe vs. Wade - that "if you believe that life begins at conception and you are consistent on that belief, then I can't argue with you on that ... but there are ways that we can work together to reduce unwanted pregnancies."

"I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade. ... not because I am pro-abortion ... but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually," he said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/16/MNMP12CJPC.DTL&type=politics

[opihimoimoi]

1. McCains base....he didn't win over new votes...Obama did...netted more than McLumps

[dkf]

2. I hope so.

My worry is that they are so reflexive that all they want is a President as reflexive as they are.

[opihimoimoi]

5. Obama shows more PROactive than McLudicris REactive....more and more are understanding

this.....as good. The anger in McCluded allows a lashing out almost instantaneously....bad move over all....reactive in some cases ok but overall...prudence takes the prize

[writes3000]

3. I read somewhere else that Fox said Obama won the night - much more sincere about his faith.

They said McCain was just doing his stump speech.

I wonder if that's what Fox really said.

[dkf]

4. It would be hard to verify...after all who watches Fox?

I'd say not many here.