Lingering debate questions: That one? Bomb-bomb Iran? Flag? What flag?

A few thoughts/questions on last night's debate:

1. "That one"
As we watched the debate, my wife was mortified by the phrase. She thought it was demeaning, dismissive. Maybe it's a generational thing, but it was a phrase I remember hearing from my parents who, if they were living, would be a bit older than McCain.
What did you think?

2. "Bomb-bomb Iran"

Any thoughts on "bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran"?
Obama used it to say that McCain couldn't be trusted to speak judiciously and it did seem to work.
McCain moved on after a quick aside, something along the lines of: That was just a joke between a couple of old veterans, I think people will understand that.
So here's my question: Do we understand that? Or are those moments when we're speaking unguardedly, just among friends -- are those the comments that are truly indicative of our attitudes?

And should we use those moments to judge candidates?

3: Where's the flag?

You all remember what a big deal it was when it was pointed out that Obama had "failed" to wear an American flag lapel pin?
Did anyone notice that McCain wasn't wearing one last night?
And that he rarely does?

Comments

[Independent-Moderate]

I do not think he was being racist at all, I think he was merely singling Obama out to show who voted for the bill. Rascist would be according to the Democrats, when accusing Congressman Barney Frank as being partially asleep at the wheel with this country's current financial crisis!

[Samantha]

I also thought "that one" was demeaning -- and with racist undertones. Shame on McCain.