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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



There is the 94 times remark

Posted: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:46 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
McCain just said that Obama has voted to raise taxes 94 times.

As fact-checkers have constantly pointed out, that is an exaggeration. Per Factcheck.org:
-- 23 votes were for measures that would have produced no tax increase at all; they were against proposed tax cuts.
-- 7 were in favor of measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals.
-- 11 votes the GOP is counting would have increased taxes on those making more than $1 million a year – in order to fund programs such as Head Start and school nutrition programs, or veterans’ health care.
-- The GOP sometimes counted two, three and even four votes on the same measure. We found their tally included a total of 17 votes on seven measures, effectively padding their total by 10.
-- The majority of the 94 votes – 53 of them, including some mentioned above – were on budget measures, not tax bills, and would not have resulted in any tax change. Four other votes were non-binding motions related to conference report negotiations.

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McCain knows this is misleading, but chooses to continue using it which speaks volumes about his character or lack thereof.
if ya say it enough its true
I would not want this old man to go to China (or anywhere) and represent me as an American. He looks like he is trying to put something over the people. He needs to go home.  Too old to nervous.
This is only the second election that I have been of age to vote but I am slightly disgusted at all the subtle attacking of each other. I don't care for what the other person has done wrong. I care about what they have done RIGHT! This finger pointing non-sense is not making my decision any clearer.
Did I just hear McCain say about Obama, "That one....." Just about as close as one can say about a black man, "Hey, boy."
DID MCCAIN JUST CALL OBAMA "THAT ONE"??!?!?  WHAT?  WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?
Obama showed a mastery of the facts. McCain showed no regard for the facts.
I've been a life long Republican, but I'm seriously considering voting for Obama.  Why, in this month's AARP magazine both candidates were asked serious questions regarding an aging population, health care, etc.  Sen McCain refused to answer any of the questions, while it was obvious Sen Obama had thorough answers and responded to all questions.  With baby-boomer generation coming to retirement age, why couldn't Sen McCain answer ANY of the AARP questions.  I felt ashamed and betrayed by my own party!
This debate is ridiculous.  There is no control whatsoever regarding the length of time candidates speak.  Definitely the Moderator is giving McCain all of the breaks and last question for McCain to answer.
McCain is taking up all of the time.  The Moderator is doing a lousy job and I am turing off the TV and still vote for Obama.
To me McCain is nervous!!!  Just like Palin was!!!!
Mr McCain has just proposed in this debate to provide a $5000 tax credit for "the health care of their choice" - but what he fails to take into account (or maybe he has!) is that millions of people do not make enough money to pay the health care costs and premiums up front - to then get a tax credit the following year!  Tell me how millions upon millions of Americans can afford that!  We can barely afford the premiums and costs we have now!  It seems to me that there is NO WAY most people could afford to participate in McCain's plan!
this debate is a fraud! Obama talks way over the time allowed yet Brokaw lets him continue. I get it- NBC is not fair and balanced. Obama is the greatest liar and deceiver that ever lived yet these brain dead followers are just mesmerized with his continuing BS!.
Twice now Tom Brokaw has skipped Barak Obama on the second part of the questions, and why is he laughing at John McCain's jabs at Obama?  Perhaps he is bending over backwards a little too far to suck up to McCain
Thank you for this clarification.
I thought Mr McCain never tells a lie?  I think he is a liar!
McCain/Palin have NO problem looking at the camera and lying.  It's horrible.  I don't trust these people and will be voting for Obama/Biden.
what would the candidates do about somalia who are under the occupation of ethopian troops?.
If McCain says "my friends" once more I am going to be sick.....

I also think that he is not being a gentleman to Senator Obama....very sarcastic.  I think it is sad.

Gaile Zimmer
McCain keeps throwing out carefully crafted (but still fallacious)attacks in attempts to essentially "trick" enough people into falling in line behind him.

The fact that he's doing this on purpose is a sad statement about his integrity.  I may be a democrat, but I adhere to logic long before I put my political perspectives into an argument.  

If McCain has a valid argument that is logically created and stated FINE, I'll respectfully disagree.  But he keeps using fallacious logic.  That is the tell-tale sign, and sole refuge of a poor argument.  Fallacies work as a persuasive device, because they are deceiving, but also because they appeal to the ignorant or the person who doesn't understand a complex issue.

He's trying to manipulate people, that's wrong.  Give me substance John.  Give me policies, give me plans, stop accusing Obama of being Rhetorical when he's put forward more specific plans and policies than you.  You are the rhetorical one.  Man up and change your dishonest strategy.
Okay, now factcheck Obama.
I agree all they do is talk in circles above half the populations head, and cut each other down...I did not turn this on to watch a boxing match! Its really getting old!
Although I'm not overly impressed with either, I think that Obama is having his best debate ever and is clearly beating McCain.   McCain looks both nervous and desperate, and his answers regarding the economy are weak at best.   He is more effective when talking about world affairs but still does not look like the leader of the free world.
McCain is getting old and I dont want Palin as the first women president, let alone a president at all.  How many times has McCain fought for his life now he is old and time to hang it up.  
If Palin says it, then McCain must think it's true!
McCain's lies forces Obama to clarify his votes.  Yes, it's awful that the voter has to hear these attacks, but if Obama does not answer them properly, then the voter would assume McCain's allegations are true.  I wish this election was over so I don't have to hear "my friends" followed by untenable statements
McCain's lies forces Obama to clarify his votes.  Yes, it's awful that the voter has to hear these attacks, but if Obama does not answer them properly, then the voter would assume McCain's allegations are true.  I wish this election was over so I don't have to hear "my friends" followed by untenable statements
I am so turned off by McCain...his smirks, his "my friends" comment that is making me sick, his constant attacks on Obama.  He looks old and SO non-Prsidential...we should be ashamed as a country if he has any remote chance of winning.
just vote for what you are for and not what everyone want you too
Ok everybody, count, how many times has John McCain reached across the aisle?
(ok I'll settle for how many times he has told us he has.)
this is a very interesting debate,J .MC Cain has so much knowledge,in spite of what the kids are saying that he is too old, too gray,darn,he served out country for many years .Sen Obama, although very sharp, has still lot to live & learn,maybe in 4-8 years he just might be the best President for that time.
McCain hasn't answered one question effectively. All responses are reminant of a cheerleader's rah! rah! cheer..."We can do ANYTHING...because we're AMERICANS!!!!" He's not running for COACH of AMERICA. I'm extreamly dissappointed in him. His responses insults the intelligence of the American people.
I knew McCain was lying because his lips were moving.
It seems his tongue gets caught in front of his eye tooth and he never sees what he's saying... so facts don't matter to him.
How many times does McCain have to say the same thing over and over again.  He's starting to sound like an old broken record, playing over the same broken line time after time,"94 times", "Fines for those who don't insure their children", Oil dependence" even though the other alternatives are far better.  After tonights debate I've made up my mind, Obama is the man.
If I hear "My Friends" one more time....
McCain can't count. So wait else is new?
Do you people not understand that John McCain is nothing but a bs'er and he and Sarah Palin are just like Bush and Cheney and they will take us down the same road and it ain't working. wink wink
Enough with the history lessons from McCain.  Everyone knows by now that he has been in Washington forever, that does not make all his opinions right.
Im sorry but at 20 years old im already sick of this war, Im tired of McCain and  Believe Obama WILL change our country regardless of his skin color. I truly believe he is the best man for the job, and that McCain is another Bush, I don't know about you but I'm about sick of his mandate.
Obamba is a great speaker being an attorney just like OJ Simpson's 14 years ago--nothing like being smoooooth.
I don't know if anybody else caught this, but I FINALLY got it!!!!  Ever notice how OFTEN McCain says 'My Friends'??????  In poker that is called a TELL!  Anytime he uses that phrase, the next words out of his mouth are LIES!  Go back and look at the video and check the facts.  You will see, just as I did.  Take another look at this guy, he is SCARY!!!!!!!!
The dow drops over 300 points tomorrow out of fear of Senator John McCain winning.
Senator McCain i am not your friend and you have lost this Americans vote!!
I MUCH HAVE AN AMERICAN LIKE McCAIN REPRESENTING US
THAN OBAMA AND HIS BAND OF ANTI AMERICANS.
We don't hear either side saying anything about the lower class. Just middle and upper class. What is going to be done to help the folks on Social security or disability or the ones that work and barly make poverty. I myself am on disability. I didn't choose to be but the clinton Administration changed the laws on that so now I can't work doing what I did for over 15 years. Plain and simple on the financial crisis. The lenders and wall street screwed that up. It's not democrate or republican but the greed of wall street. Make them accountable. It is kind of stupid to give someone making 17k a year a loan that requires an income of 30k. And blame the housing crunch on the lenders and developers. Why build more houses than people that need them It's greedof wall street and the immaturity of the younger generation. All thanks to making it pretty much impossible to raise kids with values.Man, Woman, Black, White makes no difference because it all comes down to the senate and house in the end given THEY can override the president.
Yeah, McCain was slicker with his attacks and got Obama off balance pretty frequently.  You can tell Obama was getting frustrated while McCain was more chilled.  On the other hand, that kind of passion is indicative of sincerity, while McCain comes across as much more manipulative. So McCain embarrassed Obama, but hurt himself a lot in the process.
Print the truth.  McCain said Obama voted for tax increases OR against tax breaks 94 times.  You can at least TRY to be impartial.
Even Fox News is admitting Obama won.  This election is over for McCain.  His 15 minutes are up.


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