Presidential Debate Wrap Up: McCain Exceeds Expectations
Before I get to the debate, let me share this link with you: LivingRoomCandidate.org. It’s an overview of presidential campaign commercials from 1952 through 2008. It’s very cool to see what used to pass for edgy political ads. Some of these are downright weird. If you see something noteworthy, please leave a comment and a link to the commercial on this thread. Nixon (tickling the ivories) playing Happy Birthday to Duke Ellington in 1972 is a must see. Thanks.
Overall
The presidential debate was a pretty decent show. On a scale from 1 to 10, I’d give it an 8. It’s nice to see some banter between the candidates. The 2004 debates were horrendous as the candidates never got to mix it up. Jim Lehrer (moderator) did a good job of keeping things on track and encouraging some interaction between the two. They were pretty much free to help drive the conversation instead of just standing there waiting for a direct question like the Kerry v. Bush days.
Winner: McCain
If I had to declare a winner I’d have to say McCain, but not by much. Neither of these guys are especially skilled debaters (Bill Clinton would have eaten the room alive.) But McCain gave some strong, confident answers that made him look very knowledgeable. The blogs are afire about the small fact that McCain didn’t look at Obama all night. He just stared straight ahead like a 16 year old state debating champion. Kinda childish if you ask me. “DailKos” said this:
Rude, say some. Arrogant, say some. Condescending and contemptuous, say others. Passive-aggressive outrage, say still others, a lack of eye contact meant as an insult to Obama – not a planned insult, but because McCain is just that kind of person who can’t bear to think of others as equals, who was pissed off that this other person was even allowed on the same stage as him – a king, having to mingle with the commoners.
Probably, to some extent, all true. But none of those counts as the real reason.
The real reason is that every time Barack Obama says “…when I am President,” John McCain knows in his heart that this will soon be true.
Either way I think it was a bad move, it just brings attention to the “temper” issue that has plagued him for some many years. He should avoid anything that makes him come off as an “angry old white guy.” He should also know that Obama was right, Kissinger does advocate direct talks with Iran without preconditions.
Obama
He’s better than he was in the primaries, but still not an impressive debater. However, he has made leaps and bounds when it comes to shortening his answers and trying to “dumb it down” more. Face it, that’s what Americans need. Most people don’t follow this stuff very closely and others lack the capacity to understand much of it. We’re a country that prefers down-to-earth (i.e. not very bright) people to fill our most important positions (see Sam Harris quote in this week’s “Friday Morning Fix”).
Fallout
This debate won’t change many minds and, let’s face it, anyone who is undecided at this point cannot be paying much attention. We have two very different choices.
Predictably, the news channels and blogs reacted, well, predictably. Fox News and its viewers fell hard for McCain and pretty much everybody else fell for Obama.
Question: Karl Rove is a “Fox News Contributor.” Donna Brazile is a “CNN Contributor.” Which of the two do you find more objective in their analyses?????
I’m still pretty confident of an Obama win. I am also waiting patiently for Palin’s complete implosion. She will end up costing McCain the election. If you haven’t seen her in action, YOU MUST watch this video of Palin being interviewed by Couric.
RHM
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Political Disgust | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I hate to say this but I honestly believe that 90% of the debate and things said went well above most of the viewers heads. The things most average people look at is the people. Do they like them. Do they think they are good looking. Do they look trustworthy. Do they think they will do a good job in the job of “running the country”. Now they have no idea what that job actually means, but it has always been there and been part of their life – a President running the country.
I spoke to many people last night in bigger cities where the population fashions itself more informed and aware and most felt the same way. The issues fly way above the actual concern and comprehension of most of the people in the country outside of the big cities. Not everyone, BUT MANY of them.
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Political Disgusts last blog post: “Flicks About Politics I Love” at http://www.politicaldisgust.com/?p=462
dickmill | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
Regarding commentators: there are political rumpswabs (blantantly prejudiced against anything on the other side) and there are intelligent, thoughtful commentators (who are still for one side or the other, but don’t wear it on the outside for every comment.)
Paul Begala and ANY talking head called a Republican or Democratic “strategist” are rumpswabs. You don’t even have to listen — you know exactly what they are going to say.
Donna Brazile is an intelligent commentator. I would even put Pat Buchanan in that group (he often disagrees with his party and his comments are thoughful, even if you disagree.)
Rove is an animal all his own. He has a thoughtful, intelligent demeanor, but NEVER says anything that isn’t CALCULATED to beneift his party. Sneaky…slimy…
Robert | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
McCain needed something big, he’s slipping in the polls and he didn’t do enough. I found him pretty arrogant throughout the debate.
McCains “gun ho” attitude reared it’s ugly head when he said he would freeze Government spending except for the military, nice one John.
Obama appeared to be much more presidential and more in control. He’s got much better at responding and actually appearing like he cares and listens.
Biden is going to wipe the floor with Palin, based on her recent interviews.
Porsche Cars, Products and LifeStyle | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
RHM,
I don’t believe McCain denied Kissinger’s statement. It appeared to me that McCain was against the idea of THE PRESIDENT meeting with Iran and didn’t agree that Kissinger said this should take place.
If you read Kissinger’s statement. He said,
“the next president should initiate high-level discussions with Iran “without conditions,”
It could be taken either way. I read it as the next president should send a hi-level delegate (Sec.State, etc.) to start talks.
Adrielle | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Robert, he seemed very arogant. And it’s true, as Political Disgust said, most people vote for who they “like” the most. So why would McCain go out of his way to not even look at Obama? It was very obvious that he was trying to keep himself in check. It seemed to me that he was even being a bit petty with some of his direct remarks to what Obama had said, asking Obama what he would say if the Iranian president said he was going to bomb so-and-so, going ahead and raising his voice and octave or to and responding “Oh, ok!”. And I personally got bored when McCain went on and on about his friendship with Kissinger, playing on it and making references to how long they have been friends. Maybe he should sit down and chat with his old pal and catch-up a bit.
Political Disgust | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I found the entire “I have a bracelet from a soldier” pissing contest a little humorous also.
Let’s be honest with what the debate was, and always has been in the past – a WWE wrestling match without the hitting. It is a chance for the national public to see the 2 guys next to each other verbally sparring. Everyone knows they dont like each other and everyone knows they differ on the issues. But the debates give us a chance to see their faces and how they react and make a GUT judgment on which would run the country better. Now does this MAKE SENSE at all – OF COURSE NOT, lol.
Political Disgust | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
Randall – I have featured your article here on my site with multiple links back. You can see it at http://www.politicaldisgust.com/?p=489
Just wanted you to know!
Jin Jirrie | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
Although Cain struggled throughout to put distance between himself and the disastrous Bush, the poor policies he pushed in the debate had very little new to offer.
War, war and more war – the typical Repub response to an economic crisis.
DJS | Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
Because of the hype leading up to the debate, I think I was expecting them to blow me out of the water. Eh, didnt happen. McCain was as good as I thought he would be based on the Republican Primaries. And Obama impresses me when he is up on stage given speeches. Not in debates.
I agree with RHM. The debates are not convincing swing voters one way or another. That will be left up to Palin, the bail out and SNL.
DJS