As the dust settles and the spin diminishes, the verdict is clear: while pundits called the first presidential debate a tie, voters thought Barack Obama won.
The initial CBS and CNN spot polls called it for Obama, as did the later Bloomberg/LA Times and USA Today/Gallup polls. Most viewers felt Obama won the economy section of the debate, while McCain prevailed in the foreign Policy segment. Significantly, most felt Obama looked Presidential. The Bloomberg poll observed: "Voters said Obama seemed more presidential by a 46 percent to 33 percent margin. Among those uncertain about their vote -- those who are either undecided or declaring they may change preference -- Obama was more than 2-to-1 ahead of McCain on this question."
Before the debate, political observers felt this was McCain's opportunity to best Obama and narrow the Illinois Senator's lead in the polls. The debate topic, foreign policy/national security, seemed to play to McCain's strength and experience. Obama advisors hoped he would stay close, at least break even in the debate assessment.
Instead, McCain lost the debate. Most observers attribute this to his icy demeanor: refusing to look at Obama and constantly attacking him. Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne observed: "CNN's survey found that 59 percent of women rated Obama as having done better [in the debate], with just 31 percent saying that of McCain. An Obama adviser who was watching a 'dial group' -- in which viewers turn a device to express their feelings about a debate's every moment -- said that whenever McCain lectured or attacked Obama, the Republican's ratings would drop, and the fall was especially steep among women."
Because of the surprising debate results, few commentators noted McCain's erratic behavior during the ninety-seven-minute contest. He twice noted: "I didn't win Miss Congeniality in the United States Senate" and repeatedly failed to directly answer questions, instead veering off into carefully rehearsed zingers. When asked to defend his healthcare proposal, McCain said: "this is a classic example of walking the walk and talking the talk," and changed the topic to energy: "We had an energy bill before the United States Senate. It was festooned with Christmas tree ornaments. It had all kinds of breaks for the oil companies, I mean, billions of dollars worth. I voted against it; Senator Obama voted for it."
The debate transcript indicates that whenever McCain alleged that Obama had voted against a common sense proposal, "He has voted in the United States Senate to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42,000 a year," Obama called him on it, "That's not true," and McCain then changed the subject.
The problem is not that McCain switched subjects to benefit his own narrative – that's a typical political trick – but that he did it in a way that, on second reading, was awkward and counter-productive. Consider the end of the debate: Obama noted that his father came to the United States from Kenya "because the notion was that there was no other country on Earth where you could make it if you tried. The ideals and the values of the United States inspired the entire world. I don't think any of us can say that our standing in the world now, the way children around the world look at the United States, is the same." Obama said if he became President he would restore America's world image.
There were several ways McCain might have responded to Obama's strong closing statement. McCain could have denied that America's image has suffered. Or, he could have noted that as a proven warrior he has spent his entire lifetime fighting to defend America's position as "shining light on the hill." At the least, McCain could have contrasted his own values and aspirations.
Instead, McCain butchered what appeared to have been a rehearsed segment on his POW history: "When I came home from prison, I saw our veterans being very badly treated, and it made me sad. And I embarked on an effort to resolve the POW-MIA issue, which we did in a bipartisan fashion... I know how to heal the wounds of war, I know how to deal with our adversaries, and I know how to deal with our friends."
There are several reasons why this response was ineffective. It was factually incorrect: McCain has been accused of obstructing efforts to account for all POW-MIAs and not supporting necessary benefits for veterans. But the most obvious problem is that McCain did not acknowledge Obama's closing remarks or end with a coherent uplifting message. McCain's lack of grace indicated to viewers that he either wasn't listening to what Obama said or didn't think it was important. That was a poor way for McCain to end the debate, particularly when one of his experience arguments is that McCain has "the ability to reach across the aisle and unite Democrats and Republicans."
On the campaign trail, Obama has accused McCain of being erratic and "out of touch." That's the way the Arizona Senator came across on Friday night.
Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer and Quaker actvist. He is particularly interested in progressive morality and writes frequently on the ethical aspects of political and social issues.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
If you look at Obama’s record, you will understand just how dangerous this man is.
He even has terrorist friends he won’t denounce. One such man is William Ayers, a leader in the radical terrorist group the Weatherman Underground. The group bombed several government buildings, including the Pentagon, killing civilians and police officers.
In 2001, Ayers said he had no regrets for his actions and wished he could have done more.
The ties between Obama and Ayers are tight. Both served on two non profit boards and they worked closely together. Ayers even hosted a political event at his home for Obama.
Obama has acknowledged he is a friend of Ayers and defends his association by saying he, Obama, was only 8 years old at the time of the Pentagon bombing.
However, Obama has no explanation as to why he is still a friend of Ayers.
Obama has even been endorsed by radicals such as Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan.
No one can deny hearing about Obama’s relationship with the America-hating Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
There should be little doubt that William Ayers and Louis Farrakhan and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright are rooting for Obama — because he is one of them.
In keeping with such friends, Obama has promised to meet with radical leaders like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without “preconditions” even though Ahmadinejad has promised to “wipe Israel off the map” and “destroy” America.
Even radical Hamas terrorists have praised him.
“We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election,” Ahmed Yousef, senior Hamas leader was quoted by ABC radio as saying
Obama did tell McCain eight times, he was right... McCain told Obama severl times... he's not ready to be a leader... What happens when Israel attacks Iran because of all the threats Iran has said they will destroy Israeland Obama will not be there... he's more interested in attacking Pakastan.. or did you miss that too?
by
don bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 206 comments) on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008 at 7:56:32 PM
When McCain told about his braclett, Obama had to tell his own story, but unlike McCain who knew the soldiers name, Obama had to look at the script and took him quite awhile to come up with a name.
If you really think Obama is raise taxes on the rich why would you think he would leave the middle class alone? After he taxes the rich oil companies and they slow down on production .. won't that increase gas prices? I thought we were thinking of ways to lower prices. Ethanol is a failure, it evaporates quicker than gas and gas mileage is less...
Obama looked flustered ..... McCain won... If the American people really elect Obama....... be careful what you wish for......Everyone will be included in the tax hikes .. he has to many programs and said he wouln't cut any ..... don't lie to the public Mr Obama.. People are starting to believe you
He still thinks Iran is a small country, what's going to happen when Irael gets tired of Iran and attacks...... Obama will not be there.. he's more interested in Pakistan
by
don bybee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 206 comments) on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008 at 8:06:51 PM
(0+)
Want to post your own comment on this Article?
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Contact Author
View Authors' Articles
(0+)
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0) 
