In Debate II, John McCain twice laid out the criteria for how the American people should judge the candidates: In tough times, we need someone with a steady hand on the tiller. By that measure, Obama was the clear winner. He was centered where McCain was scattered. Forceful where McCain was forced. Presidential where McCain was petulant. In the first debate, McCain wouldn't look at Obama. In this one, he referred to him as "that one." The contempt was palpable, and unpalatable. At the end of the debate, Brokaw asked McCain to get out of the way of his Teleprompter. He might as well have been speaking on behalf of the future: Senator McCain can you please get out of the way so we can get on with it?
It's not that I don't hear what the candidates are saying, but I always begin by noticing what they're wearing, and whose shirt looks better, and of course, whose tie.
If the question of the first debate was whether Obama would pass the threshold on national security (he did), the reality of this debate is that McCain didn't pass the threshold on the economy.
Why are these debates so incredibly boring? Is it McCain telling us constantly he is our friend while he grimaces in a way that is friendly to no one? Or is it Obama keeping his cool despite all the idiotic lies and provocations?
Well, for a town-hall meeting, I sure didn't see a whole lot of 'town." A couple dozen of over-lit, under-whelmed people who got free tickets. As a comic, I have to say, that really looked like a tough house.
It's easy to take a position in a campaign. But the promises are empty if the candidate has a record opposing those very positions.
They say that Sen. McCain's strong suit is the town hall debate. If this was, in fact, Sen. McCain's strength, he might as well go home. Sorry... homes.
In the early phase of the debate, there wasn't a drop of humor in that room. As McCain and Obama offered generalities, these people weren't even close to buying it.
If the Sarah Palin "no on abortions, even in cases of rape and incest" movement gets its way with Proposition 4, California's constitution will force minors to receive the permission of their parents to get an abortion.
McCain evidences the underlying motivator attributed to Bush in Oliver Stone's movie: the distorted priorities of a son of privilege doing battle with the legacy of more gifted and responsible family ancestors.
McCain's supporters seemed happy with the ground rules. Obama's supporters seemed happy with the results. But many were troubled by the debate organizers' claim of true public participation in Tuesday's forum.
While McCain attacked most of the night -- in spite of the intimate, town hall setting -- Obama stuck to a crisper, measured tone, and still returned fire when necessary,
It was clear tonight that Barack Obama has a far superior understanding of the moving parts of government and American society than John McCain ever had.
