Weekend edition 9/26-28 and open thread

So, the presidential staring contest has concluded and John McCain has deigned that the debate will go on after all, even though the bailout negotiations continue. At least 65 million of us will be setting the DVR or hunkering down at 7 Mountain/6 Pacific to watch the big show. RSR will NOT be live blogging the debate tonight, but you can use this as an open thread to record your thoughts and impressions during and/or after the event. Also, have a gander at what Twitter and Current have teamed up to do.

Two big debate-watching parties are planned in Boise. Idaho for Obama is taking over the Taj Mahal Restaurant at 10548 Fairview in west Boise, while the Drinking Liberally chapter will gather at the City Grill, 199 N. 8th St. downtown. Other parties are planned in Hailey, McCall, and Post Falls. More details here.

The 1st CD race between Walt Minnick and Bill Sali continues to heat up, as the Minnick campaign continues to find ways in which Sali has repeatedly failed to vote for legislation that would have stemmed the mortgage and credit crises.

In the Idaho Senate race, Brian Ertz at Ralph Maughan's Wildlife News blog has the story of how the U.S. 9th District Court of Appeals ruled Jim Risch and other members of the Idaho Land Board could face trail for civil rights violations in the Lazy Y Ranch case. Meanwhile, independent Senate candidate Rex Rammell has filed a felony complaint against Risch in Fremont County over the temporary gov's handling of the 2006 incident in which Risch ordered the slaughter of 109 elk that escaped from Rammell's ranch.

It's going to be a beautiful weekend. Have fun, but be sure to spend some time volunteering for the campaign of your choice. And if you're in Boise, don't forget Sunday's fundraiser at The Record Exchange to help the Conservation Voters of Idaho elect candidates who will preserve and improve our precious Idaho quality of life.

Comments

[Irwin Horowitz]

It's SRO here at the Taj Majal! I estimate about 100 Obama supporters are enjoying the debate and the buffet here tonight.

[Julie in Boise]

Awesome. I'm not surprised at the turnout. Glad you all had a good time. I decided to hunker down and watch this at home.

I thought it was a good, substantive debate. Obama was far stronger on the economic issues; my favorite line was how, when Jim Lehrer pressed the candidates on how the budget crisis will affect their plans, Obama said he knew he'd have to make tough decisions "but in order to make those decisions, we have to know what our values are."

Obama showed far more nuance, too. After McCain called for a spending freeze except for defense, veterans, and entitlements, Obama said, "You're using a hatchet when you need a scalpel." he suggested that continuing to spend $10 billion a month in Iraq while skimping on health care and early childhood education in the U.S. isn't reflective of our values.

I was really struck by how McCain basically refused to acknowledge Obama's presence except at fleeting moments. Obama, by contrast, frequently turned to address McCain directly. And while McCain didn't have any serious senior moments, Obama did seem much more energetic, engaged, and frankly presidential. But of course, I am biased. :)

I'm listening to 670 KBOI, where legislators Nicole LeFavour and John McGee are up next with their takes.