After a week of economic turmoil, McCain has decided to join Obama in Oxford, MS at the first presidential debate.

(I’m here at Huntsman Hall 240 with the Penn Democrats.)

The candidates have just taken the stage in Oxford, Mississippi. And the first question goes to Sen. Obama — on the economy.
He calls it the “final verdict” on an economic policy supported by Bush and McCain. He said he hopes the middle class gets a “fair shake.”

McCain says he “hasn’t been feeling too great about things lately,” and said the situation must be resolved, but that the package must have bipartisan support. He emphasizes that this is the “end of the beginning” of the financial talks.

Lehrer: Do you agree on plan?

Obama says he understands the magnitude of problem, and that problem must be resolved in the short term. But he questions the previous deregulation.
McCain picks up on this and says that he also saw the train wreck coming. He also remarks that corruption has been rewarded and that he won’t tolerate that in his White House.

Obama charges McCain with saying “fundamentals of economy are strong,” with Lehrer saying he should point to McCain directly. (How strange and awkward on stage…)

McCain reinforces that he has faith in American worker, a typical line he has used to fill in as the actual “fundamentals.”

Rep. Bob Brady is starting things off here in northeastern Philly at the Ironworkers Union.
Lots of union members in the audience, and the kind of working class voters Biden needs to appeal to on behalf of Obama.
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Brady is introducing Biden as a working class hero (essentially a PA native), and someone who’s “here for us.”

Phila Mayor Michael Nutter is now speaking; ridiculing the GOP as the “Repulsive National Convention.”
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Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Joe, is speaking with Gov. Ed Rendell.

Rendell is really talking up infrastructure as a means to job growth, and PA problems. He also said the GOP had no real solutions at their convention.
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Jill Biden mentions that she was a teachers union member, “right at home.”
She’s now talking about her first date with Joe, working class roots, and what she found so great in Joe. “Family values” and the Amtrak commute, how he has “never been a part of the Washington scene.”
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Jill: “education is the key to opportunity” and with Obama-Biden, speaking as a military mom, “we will end this war in Iraq”
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Joe Biden is now speaking. Make no mistake: this man is a natural working the PA union crowd. He knows this terrain and knows what to say.
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Biden: “there has been a war [by the Bush admin] on the union house”

“John McCain is my friend,” said Biden. And “I would do anything for him if he asked.” “John is singally bravest man I know.”

Bringing up Rick Davis, McCain campaign manager, when he said “this campaign is not about the issues.”

Saying he heard “politics as usual” at the republican convention. “Nothing about you.”

“Not a single solitary thing about healthcare … College education …”

Says that they, McCain-Palin, couldn’t possibly explain the past 8 years, so they attack.
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Now talking a LOT about the economy. Recent job loss numbers, 6.1% unemployment rate.
“Worst in 5 years.”

> quick note: not really exciting, but very specific and union-focused. Wait… Nevermind. Crowd just rose to their feet for union organizing rights.

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Now focused on how Obama and him will actually lower taxes on 95% of Americans. “people need help right now”
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More tax focus: saying repeal of bush tax cuts for top 1% will pay for everything.
“don’t tell me we’re big spenders. It’s how we spend it.”
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“tax break to companies who want to keep jobs here.”

“The choice is absolutely clear.”

“The future of this country … world will be decided in the next 60 days.”
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Questions and comments now by 3 individuals, the first a committeeman from the area with kids in college.
“grocery prices are unbelievable”

Third has husband who is retired Philly Police. Now for healthcare, he’s working at Target.
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Q: what do about No Child Left Behind?

A: we should have standards, expect a lot of children. Lots of kids come from disadvantaged households, and kids who are talked to young do better.

Obama and I will push early childhood education. Also, NCLB measures students and teachers unfairly - no proper starting point.

“testing isn’t bad, but teachers shouldn’t be teaching to the test”
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11:35 AM

Q: “will you take off the gloves with Sarah palin in the debate like you would anybody else?”

A: Harry Truman: I’m not gunna give them hell. I’m gunna tell them the truth and they’re gunna think its hell.

Event is now over. Biden shakes hands, works crowd.