Presidential debate's Internet debut a forum for political trash talk (AFP)
by Glenn Chapman 27 minutes ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Friday's first-ever online streaming of a US presidential debate provided a platform for hordes of amateur political pundits to exchange real-time critiques of Barack Obama and John McCain.
An estimated 150,000 people logged into www.MyDebates.org where the verbal duel was broadcast live and pop-up boxes polled the audience for feedback regarding how candidates were doing.
A comment forum on the page allowed people to instantly post musings, accolades, insights, rants or insults and they did just that.
"My God," MyDebates user 'Russ' wrote. "I can't stand watching and listening to McCain. I'm getting physically ill."
"I hear they are taking bets in some places to see how long Obama will be president before he is assassinated," an online viewer with a screen name 'Billie' said in a subsequent message. "Go McCain!"
A random sampling of the ongoing commentary revealed a distinct bias toward Obama.
That was in keeping with a poll of MyDebates visitors that indicates Obama supporters are clear majorities in 44 states while McCain backers dominate in only one state. The remaining states are considered too close to call.
"McCain isn't Ms. Congeniality," a MyDebates viewer named C. Hall typed in a posting after McCain made the joke in an exchange with Obama.
"Now, Not-Ms. Congeniality how are you going to make sure my parents don't lose the house they've lived in for the last 20 years?"
Hall went on to bash McCain and other Republican members of the Senate for blocking a financial bailout plan.
In an Internet Age coffee house debate, Hall's comment was met with sometimes unsympathetic counterpoints.
"GET A JOB! BUY INSURANCE!" a McCain-backing MyDebates watcher using the name "Boondocker" wrote in reply.
"Why is it my problem that your parents can't pay their mortgage? Why is it the governments problem your ass can't get assistance."
Swipes at Obama included postings saying it takes a soldier to be commander-in-chief and calling his economic positions socialist or Marxist.
"Obama has no idea what he is doing," wrote 'UnNormal Girl' while bashing the candidate's call for universal health care."
"And a lot of people make fun of Bush for his stuttering. Have you heard what Obama sounds like?... studder, studder, st, st, studdering!"
Personal barbs were hurled at McCain as well, with much being made of him not locking eyes with Obama or speaking directly to his rival during the debate.
"McCain is acting very immature," a MyDebates viewer with 'Lush' as her screen name wrote of the 72-year-old candidate.
"He can't even look at his opponent when the other person is talking...smirking doesn't help him either. So sad. I wouldn't want a leader of my country who lacks maturity."
"I'm afraid McCain will succumb to a stroke and we'll be left with that ninny from Alaska," MyDebates viewer 'Kitty' wrote. "Doesn't that worry anyone?"
As could be expected, some viewers frowned on both Obama and McCain.
"The ignorance of every McCain supporter is blatant belligerence and disgusts me," wrote 'Blue-eyed Devil' in a MyDebates posting.
"And quite honestly Obama isn't that much better. But he's different, he's not another upper-class illuminati free mason shitbag that will throw the middle class under the bus.
MySpace engineers finished the night happy that the online video stream was faster than cable news feeds by several seconds and there were no technical stumbles to mar the premier of online presidential debates.