A 'steady hand'

Posted: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:34 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: 2008, 2008 McCain, 2008 Obama

From NBC's Carrie Dann
McCain closed with a theme that he used once before in this debate: "a steady hand on the tiller." Sounds like a direct pushback on Dems' efforts to paint McCain as "erratic," hot-tempered, and unreliable under pressure.

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Comments

A steady hand on the tiller? Who thinks McCain's temperment, as shown on several occasions, embody's that "steady hand"?

Ian (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:44 PM)

How steady of a hand is it to suspend your compaign and bring it back a day later with no progress and now call for a "spending freeze" on government programs... how it that steady?

John, Spokane, Wa (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:45 PM)

Obama showed a mastery of the facts. McCain showed no regard for the facts.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:46 PM)

mccain acted like a angry old man. hes of the past not the future. mccain acted so awlful. he's a fake.
go barack obama. 2008. you'll make a great president barack obama.

carl (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:46 PM)

didn't by it. Obama showed grace and knew his
stuff-Here comes our next President!

He was awesome!

Sophia Beck Laramie WY 82071 (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:46 PM)

Does Pat Buchanen ever get tired of being wrong???

Liz (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:46 PM)

John is the last person to talk about a steady hand. He certainly didn't have one during this economic crisis. Also, he age did show on stage.

raleigh nc (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:46 PM)

I am an uncommitted voter who was swayed for Obama after the first debate. However, my vote swayed tonight for McCain I think he outshined Obama tonight. Obama for the first time looked unexperienced and didn't seem to really know what he is doing. I will continue to watch the candidates but as of tonight, McCain has my vote.

Brandon Monson (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:47 PM)

We need steady minds as well as steady hands.. OBAMA & BIDEN

Alice, Framingham, MA (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:47 PM)

Lets see if this comment makes it. I thought this was a pretty good debate and Senator McCain shows his steadiness and good sense.

Lee Letts, Buda, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:47 PM)

Can we trust Grampa Simpson to have a steady hand?

And I'm totally wasted by choosing "My Friends" in our drinking game!

Danny C. Chicago (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:47 PM)

What's with McCain "not" speaking to Oliver (black man) as a homeowner by making reference to the earlier speaker (white man) as a homeowner.

beverle (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:47 PM)

BUT BARACK IS THE ONE WHO LOOKS STEADY, THIS DOES NOT WORK!!

Rod, SC (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:48 PM)

Just more of the same political rhetoric...Not one Comment by Brokow, Obama or McCain regarding Illegal Immigration or border security.
Middle Class America Simply Ignored One More Time
Boring!

Joe Vlasek Colorado Springs (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:48 PM)

well if Senator McCain feels we need a "steady hand on the tiller" he is obviously not referring to himself.

Rosemary, Austin Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:48 PM)

McCain was very disrespectful when Obama had the floor, he kept pacing around like an old penguin. I found that distracting and disgusting.

Wendy NC (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:48 PM)

It is interesting that mccain wife never sake hands with the people. but Obama wife does shake hands with the audience. Is mccain wife to high class to shake hands with common folks?Maybe the mccain's are out of touch with the American people.

Barry Dixon ,Indianapolis (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 PM)

Did anyone notice that McCain refused to shake Obama's hand after the debate was over? He didn't bring up Bill Ayers either. I guess he was embarrassed.....

elise (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 PM)

Michelle Obama mixed in with the people present and shook their hands and talked with them... did you notice McCains wife... she kept her hands behind her as if the people in the audience would dirty her hands.. how rude. She definitely has the perception that she is better than us. Now I know who I'm voting for and it isn't the snobs husband.

Susann Harris-Pomerleau (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 PM)

Did anyone notice that McCain refused to shake Obama's hand after the debate was over? He didn't bring up Bill Ayers either. I guess he was embarrassed.....

elise (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 PM)

If that's the case, he would have been better off not calling Senator Obama "that one". Little testy, are we?

Cheryl Veldman, Round Rock, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:50 PM)

A steady hand on the tiller? Who thinks McCain's temperment, as shown on several occasions, embodies that "steady hand"?

Ian (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:50 PM)

You are RIGHT Sen Mccain...

We do need a steady hand.
That's why I'm voting for OBAMA!!!

You are RIGHT Sen Mccain (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:50 PM)

McCain looked frail and I would bet his hands were shaking.......he was also all over the road with his remarks and body language.........so much for a steady hand...sigh

Jim Reave (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:51 PM)

Senator McCain, like his running mate, spoke in non-sequitors. If one reads his spoken words, one will see that he made little sense. Sen Obama was gave clear, well thought out answers, explaining the necessary background so one gets a full understanding of the issues.

Rachel Bird (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:51 PM)

McCain's claim to have a steady hand is ludicrous in light of his behavior in the campaign - for example: "suspending" his campaign to deal with the financial crisis (which he didn't do, and when he did go to the table in DC, he said nothing), the numerous campaign shakeups due to the fact that his campaign is full of lobbyists - like Phil Gramm (look for him to be Treasury Secy in a McCain administration - Foreclosure Phil). Obama on the other hand has not had campaign shake-ups - he has steadily built a participatory movement from the ground up that is paying off. Look to how a candidate runs his or her campaign to see how he or she might govern. My vote goes to Obama.

Joyce Alessi, Yorba Linda, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:51 PM)

If you think John McCain would provide a steady hand on the tiller consider his all-over-the-place reaction to the economic crisis, the wild smears Palin is trying to pin on Obama and read this biographical article about John McCain. Then ask yourself if this guy can provide a steady hand on the "tiller."
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

jbentley,Chicago,IL (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:52 PM)

"That One" a racist comment i would say.

john doe (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:53 PM)

where is mckain in this post town meeting? disappeared from site as he will continue to do when it counts to be with the people.

mike, gerrardstown, wv (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:53 PM)

McCain is NO steady hand for sure!

Carmen (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:53 PM)

What happened to John & Cindy after the debate. The Obama's were there with the audience, taking pictures, shaking hands and visiting. After a cursory tour of the room, the McCains were gone. Duck and Run?

First to leave the party (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:54 PM)

It's like everything else he's said the past 3 months: it's DIRECTLY in CONFLICT with reality.

Reality Check (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:54 PM)

More like "quivering, old hand." Did you catch the moment when McCain had to write down which areas he would prioritize as if he couldn't remember three things at once -- and then didn't even answer the question? I think that he forgot what his three choices were. (Obama snuck in another one, making the order 'Energy', 'Healthcare', and 'Education.')

George (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:54 PM)

how can McCain be a steady hand when he appears erratic by changing his mind about the economy. The economy is strong, no it is not. Lets suspend the campaign, changed his mind. aganist the bailout aig, for the bailout of aig. what is McCain stance on the issue?

voter (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:56 PM)

McCain resembles a clone. He knew his ideology. As far as the facts, the benefit of the doubt is that he just did not know them.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:56 PM)

Well Obama did it again, "TAX AND SPEND", I don't think that is the way to change this country well for the shape we are in now. McCain is in it for the long haul and will help the country get back on our feet.

John Drew Colorado (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:58 PM)

McCain go "night night" LOL

Seattle Outsider (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:58 PM)

McCain is the last person to start talking about "steady hands."

OBAMA!!! (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:58 PM)

Sounded pretty disingenuous to me considering how scattered his actions around this financial crisis has been.

Robert, West Greenwich RI (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:59 PM)

I find the the visual 'Applause - O - Meter annoying and distracting.
Loose the gimmickry and stick to reporting.
I'll pick what I think.

John, Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:00 PM)

Barack our next President showed consistency in his knowledge, poise, and respect. His demeanor remains presidential. McCain, in contrast, was all over the place, looked angry, and was disrespectful toward his opponent. I think McCain and Palin should throw in the towel--"no change, just more of the same".

Von Mathis (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:01 PM)

A steady hand??? Have you ever seen a 72 year old guy hold his hand out? Shaking and slight trembling is inherent. John Mc does not embody steady on any issue for me. I am sick of the constant folksy vernacular from the republican who would not know the first thing about grassroots.

Bonnie, Muscatine, IA (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:01 PM)

"Steady hand on the tiller"??? Yeah, if you need someone to pilot the S.S. Titanic, full speed ahead into the abyss. McCain has never had a steady hand or a cool head, both qualities that are most needed by this great nation at this moment in history.

james, Astoria, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:01 PM)

I'm proud of my candidate... As an old white woman from Missouri...

Obama/Biden 08/12

Lyn, KCMO (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:02 PM)

I suspect that McCain was about ready to have a meltdown when Obama challenged him and he probably had to get off stage as quickly as possible before he showed that famous temper of his. Not the temperament to be POTUS!! Also what a coward. He didn't have the guts to attack Obama on stage but he hides behind the skirts of his aggressive Caribou Barbie.

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:02 PM)

When will American's stop their infatuation with an image...not reality. Obama is smoke and mirrors, has surrounded himself with the financial leadership that helped create this national financial crisis. Can we for once...not just look at the pictures and actually read! Obama will be the death of the United States as we know it.

Margaret, Trenton, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:03 PM)

Coming from McCain who doesn't know if he's for or against regulation, the bailout, suspends his campaign, doesn't know if he's going to debate or not; picks a whacko for vice president; steady hand? I'll take cool hand luke, harvard graduate Barack any day and on Nov 4.

mariab detroit, michigan (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:03 PM)

McCain is far from unreliable under pressure. He has the steady hand we need. Obama seemed to falter a bit on questions that required quick thinking and couldn't answer the questions at hand.

Ed, Lehigh Valley, PA (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:04 PM)

We can all put any comment into what ever context we would like. McCain is not raciest.

Blake Reeder (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:04 PM)

I think the Democrats like to call McCain erratic because voters already see him as a little erratic and hot under the collar. I thought the "service" argument was much more credible.

Ken, Nacogdoches, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:04 PM)

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