Obama T.K.O.s McCain in Last Debate

HEMPSTEAD, NY -- Barack Obama never delivered a knockout punch during the final presidential debate, but it did not matter. Obama won a T.K.O. -- defeating his opponent without ever knocking him out.

John McCain hit hard and sometimes wildly, accusing Obama of links to terrorism, voter fraud and racially divisive politics. It was the first time McCain played the Ayers card in a debate, of course, after Obama had taunted McCain for failing to level the charge to Obama's "face."

The entire offensive was muddled, however, by McCain's umbrage. Asked about his running mate's false charge that Obama "palled around with terrorists," McCain offered an indignant non-sequitur. He demanded that Obama condemn Rep. John Lewis's criticism of incendiary rhetoric at GOP rallies, which McCain said was unfair because it likened his campaign to America's segregation era. "That, to me, was so hurtful," he intoned. Yet within minutes, McCain busied himself with the guilt-by-association attacks.

While McCain lurched from victim to aggressor, Obama calmly held his own. He reiterated the history of his non-alliance with Bill Ayers, noted that the board they served on also included Republicans, and broadened the conversation to economic issues and changing the tone of politics -- the familiar themes Obama has used to transcend smears throughout the general election.

The sharp exchanges that dominated the debate's opening will make for spicy soundbites, but most of the night the candidates sparred over key domestic policies. Obama touted his support for charter schools and parental responsibility in education, and drew a contrast with McCain's "hatchet" approach to freezing all federal spending on domestic programs. McCain repeatedly criticized Obama's tax and health care policies, citing the cost to the "Joe Plumbers" out there - no relation to "Joe Six Pack - and argued that his support for free trade would better renew the economy.

McCain also falsely stated that Joe Plumber would pay a fine under Obama's policies when health care is not provided to employees. In fact, Obama's plan specifically provides an exemption from that fine for small businesses. The issue has now arisen in two debates, as Obama noted in a rebuke to McCain. "As I said in our last debate, and I'll repeat John, I exempt small businesses from the requirement for large businesses that can afford to provide health care to their employees who are not doing it," he said.

Ultimately, McCain's alternating anger and umbrage never delivered the clichéd "game changer" that politicos said he needed. He punched until he was punched out. Three debates down, both men were still standing, but after scoring more in every round, Obama had the win.

Ari Melber is traveling with the Obama campaign for The Washington Independent, blogging from the road here.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers

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Comments

[caterpol]

McCain playing the victim over Lewis's comments had me shouting at the TV.

How dare HE play the victim! When you accuse your American opponent of "palling around with terrorists" you reap what you sow. Two wrongs don't make a right McCain. They teach you that in kindergarten.

[SamEllison]

And I think John Lewis, with his own history, can speak for himself.
Maybe McSame meant Sidney Poitier?

[MPinFlorida]

What defines winning a debate? If it goes to the one who is most aggressive, angry, and obnoxious, then I guess Obama is a little disappointing. But really that is not what constitutes winning. I believe Obama has won all three debates, and the final one with a knock out. We are so used to mud slinging that we find it hard to define a winner when we see one.

[happytrails]

The three debates underscore the difference between rigorous intellectual training and physical training for combat and endurance. There is no doubt that McCain was tested physically and he endured. Magnificently! But he has been left in the dust by a superior intellect with superior training for thinking on one's feet, for staying on topic, for debate and for the inspired leadership which this country has been sorely lacking for the last eight horrible years.
Had McCain NOT ROLLED OVER in 2000 to Bush Co., had he shown the backbone he was known for, perhaps his response to 9/11 would have given him the opportunity to display his superior training for battle. As it is, his training is now obsolete as is his combative persona.
The debates point up the need now, when we are on the brink of disaster, for complex answers to complex problems which can't be solved with smirks or winks, or with eye rolling or with fists or bombs.

[fallsgonnakillya]

Very well said!

[Greg285]

TKO...McCain is done and is up against a far superior challenger than he ever expected. This is the 21st Century, not the 19th Century that McCain is apparently living in. The best analogy I’ve heard today goes as follows:
‘McCain looked like an old boxer who had been in one too many fights. You wanted to pull him from the ring. The whole time I was thinking, "Who let him get into this fight?" Don't you have a conscience? Throw the towel. Throw the towel!’--- That is Priceless….
Please Mr. Referee, have mercy and stop this fight and save this has been fighter pilot, who is still fighting the Viet Nam War in his mind.

[bob8788]

John McCain needs to give up politics and become a movie star , next role can be penguin in the next batman film

http://www.barackobamacans.blogspot.com/

[SeanGardner]

I agree Ari. Obama won.

I figured he would bring up McCain's association, but with the voters wanting to hear about the issues, he didn't have to.

Volunteers (like myself) and campaign workers for Obama just need to keep driving the massive GET OUT TO VOTE operation, and make sure people vote early if possible. Barring a self-inflicted wound, it looks good for Senator Obama.

[MoeB]

Agreed. Concerning GOTV, we should make sure that everyone we know, ESPECIALLY the poor, elderly, and minorities, have the information necessary to vote. ID for certain...but I'd suggest, just to be safe, that people also bring a current utility bill with them, in case there is any question about where they live. If you receive a card noting your registration place, bring that also. We cannot be too cautious about this...just because he is ahead now, doesn't mean that they won't be attempts at disenfranchisement come election day. The republicans are already gearing up for that (see ACORN).

[kapo]

McCain was systematically alienating different slices of the voting demographic. The issue of women's health concerns is the biggest. Confusing autism with Down syndrome was just a senior moment. The comparison of ACORN to Greenpeace was really stupid. Few people know about ACORN so it is easy to get away with an attack on a group trying to advance the democratic process. Everyone knows about Greenpeace however. Comparing the two means every Republican supporter of the group will have to give ACORN a second look.

[Swirl123]

I've already voted for President Obama... I cannot wait until Nov. 4th when we have a new President Obama. I must comment/and ask a question....1. I oppose abortion, however!, we must keep this option/choice legal for those women and doctors so we do not revert to illegal, back-alley abortions! As Obama stated, we must encourage and fund education, provide free, confidential planned parenting/­distribute condoms, or other birth control. This must remain legal! even though many people oppose it. 2. If anyone has a question about either candidates policies, positions, ideas, etc., research on the internet, each campaign website, FactCheck.org., etc. 3. Gov. Palin is NOT ready nor able to lead this country if McCain is elected, and God forbid, something happens to him. Which brings me to my question. I've searched the internet, my history books, the US Constitution, but cannot find a satisfactory answer. Whomever wins...but between now Oct. 15 until election day, if either McCain or Obama dies before election day, who would assume the position of nominee for President in the respective party? Would it fall to the VP nominee? or would the 2nd highest votes at the DNC and/or RNC convention assume the roll? I only ask because of McCain's age/health. And the fact that racism still, unfortunately, alive and well. I pray nothing happens to either candidate, but I'm just curious to this remote possibility.

[sstt]

Section 3 of the 20th Amendment provides that if the President-elect dies before his or her term begins, the Vice President-elect becomes President on Inauguration Day and serves for the full term to which the President-elect was elected. The section also provides that if, on Inauguration Day, a president has not been chosen or the President-elect does not qualify for the presidency, the Vice President acts as president until a president is chosen or the President-elect qualifies. Finally, Section 3 allows the Congress to provide by law for cases in which neither a President-elect nor a Vice President-elect is eligible or available to serve.

[UnionJok]

The November election "chuses" electors, rather than a president. The electors meet in December to cast their votes for president and vice president. They can vote for whomever they want. Before that point, the National Committee of each party could choose a replacement nominee, based on their own rules and/or judgment.

Once the electors have voted, the Constitution, as explained by another poster, would resolve the issue.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

As Chris Rock says, a black man can't beat a white man. But he can knock him the F*** out!

[Pacific231]

One quibble: McCain didn't "hit Obama hard" but rather Obama IMHO "rope-a-doped" McCain. McCain was swinging wildly, hitting only Obama's gloves. Obama wins by unanaimous decision!

[manchesterunited13]

hey, just FYI
a TKO is when you knock someone out three times.

[JoeCrownOnTheRocks]

FYI -

Not always - it stands for Technical Knock Out. Depends on the rules of the match, and it can be called at the referees discretion. Having a dangerous cut on the face can result in a TKO, for instance.

[Scarlet Fire90]

No, it isn't. It is when the referee stops the fight, for whatever reason.

[Scarlet Fire90]

If you knocked someone out ONCE, the fight would be over then.

[pons1595]

Obama had few rights and even fewer lefts hit him--in our boxing metaphor; he had no reason to knockout the OLD MAN. Say far ahead on points he just had to dance about making points like Ali in his prime--and McCain ain't no Joe Frazier.

[Bitsko]

Thanks the gods that's over. Now, let's get out the vote!

[callanish]

couldn't agree with you more!!

[NamelessGenXer]

19 DAYS: CONSTANT VIGILANCE! NO COMPLACENCY! OVERWHELMING VICTORY!

[garcohsf]

McCain's best moment? "I am not George Bush"

McCain's worst moment (among many)? "It hurt my feelings when John Lewis compared me to a racist segregationist."

Obama's best moment? "How are you going to pay for those programs fore special needs children if you have an across-the-board spending freeze?"

Obama's worst moment (and not too bad a one)? His answer on ACORN--he should have made clear that the fact that people filled out voter registration cards with false names doesn't mean that a single fraudulent vote will be cast.

Once again, Obama did what he had to do--on to the November 4!

[radicalcentrist44]

Obama is going to win, there is no doubt. But now he will have to live up to all of his promises. He will have the House and a fillibuster-proof Senate. Obama says he will change everything for the better. Now it is time for the details.

[ladydriver]

He's been laying out the details. All you have to do is go read them. www.barackobama.com