• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Round Two of The Presidential Debate

By · Updated October 29, 2020

Take our quiz on the candidates and where they stand on the issues »

 

The gloves were off and, quite frankly, it’s about time. Last night, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain and Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama had their second debate at Belmont University in Nashville. The more relaxed, “town hall” style of give-and-take was moderated by veteran newsman Tom Brokaw, who oftentimes seemed to lose control of the event. Brokaw reminded the candidates to adhere to the rules and keep their answers within the limited time constraints, but was largely ignored.

Overall, McCain and Obama once again addressed the American public about the issues that matter to us most, namely the economy, oil independence, foreign policy and health care. Questions came from audience members and submissions via Internet. Oliver Clark, the only African-American man to ask a question, wanted to know from both of the candidates how the bailout package will actually help Americans. McCain is confident that he can fix our economy and plans to do so by weeding out exorbitant government spending. While Obama was more specific, saying he would start by working with homeowners, finding ways to keep people in their homes, and provide tax credits for 95 percent of working Americans.

Understanding the cynicism that most middle-class Americans have about the economy, McCain pushed his agenda to curb government spending, participate in offshore drilling, create a bevy of jobs by investing in nuclear power, provide a $5,000 credit for health care, and allow Americans to cross state lines in their choice of providers. As far as foreign policy, especially as it concerns the war in Iraq, and relations with Pakistan, Russia and Afghanistan, McCain was softer than one might expect for a war hero. He believes in winning the war in Iraq by any means, but was cushy on how he plans to handle the growing terrorist cells in Afghanistan by way of Pakistan. When Brokaw asked if he thought of Russia as an “evil” nation, he answered, maybe.

Obama was also focused on issues concerning the economy, more specifically on how we use energy resources around the globe. He proposes that the United States will be oil-independent in ten years, and that nuclear energy is just one of many new means of alternative energy production he plans to facilitate. If you have a health care provider that you like, Obama wants you to keep it and will offer small businesses incentives to provide health insurance to their employees. Obama talked up his agenda to tackle ethnic cleansing and genocide in foreign nations, but was clearly adamant about spreading our defensive wealth to provide American troops with whatever is needed to kill Osama bin Laden.

There were a few jabs here and there. McCain referencing Obama as “that one” when talking about his voting record, telling the audience that there isn’t time for “on-the-job training,” and then the visible lack of a handshake at the end of the debate are sure to be analyzed by pundits. McCain also made some attempts at humor, which, by all means, fell flat. Ultimately, Obama played it cool as usual, never taking the low road but always holding strong against McCain’s years of experience. He was the clear winner tonight, but what will happen in less than a month still remains to be seen.

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now