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
Follow Ari Melber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AriMelber
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.
Maybe McSame meant Sidney Poitier?
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.
‘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.
http://www.barackobamacans.blogspot.com/
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.
Once the electors have voted, the Constitution, as explained by another poster, would resolve the issue.
a TKO is when you knock someone out three times.
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.
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!