McCain's Debate Behavior Condescends To New Levels

There are some who believe Al Gore lost the presidency in part because of his behavior during the debates with George Bush in 2000. The head-shaking and sighing conveyed to some a distasteful attempt at superiority.

What we saw tonight from John McCain totally outclassed Gore's behavior in terms of being obnoxious. The question is, will he be called on it as Gore was? Probably not, although he should be, particularly since his answers were a little light on facts. But as we all know, judging debates is an iffy proposition.

As a debate tactic, McCain's behavior was understandable, and a classic Karl Rove characteristic. Take your weakness and make it a strength. Take your opponent's strength and make it a weakness.

In this case, McCain's weakness is his age, and Barack Obama's strength is his youth. McCain again and again tried to exploit it with the "you don't understand" meme, even though it was McCain who too often didn't understand what was being discussed.

The classic example was the distinction between strategy and tactics. Obama was right that the war was the overarching strategy. The "surge" was a tactic. Today's conditions may be attributable to the surge or, as some believe, to other changes in Iraqi society, like ethnic cleansing. In any case, the basic fact Obama hammered home was that the war had weakened us and strengthened Iran. McCain could only harp on our "defeat."

There is a way to answer this tactic. Call this the Aikido theory of debate. Aikido is a fascinating martial art that doesn't depend on kicks and punches. There's no Chuck Norris here. Instead, Aikido training teaches that one should use an opponent's strength and momentum against him. The opponent still lands flat on his back, but he gets there via his own aggressiveness. It's more elegant that way.

Obama scored early on when he had a litany of examples in which McCain was wrong about the war. He should have kept up that focus for the duration of the debate, and then more strongly flipped the "you don't understand" remark back at McCain.

Perhaps McCain, who says he favors the vets, "didn't understand" when he voted against increasing spending for veteran's care. Perhaps McCain, who was a prisoner, "didn't understand" that waterboarding is torture when he reversed his position and voted for it.

Perhaps McCain, who wants "victory" in Iraq, "doesn't understand" that the Iraqis want us out of the country.

That was the watchword for this debate. The next one may be different. Obama should be on the lookout for the catchphrase and take every opportunity to turn it against McCain. McCain showed in this debate he will use every snarky, pitiful reference he can pull out. Obama should show him that, even staying cool, he can give as good as he gets.

An example might come up next week during the vice presidential debate. Surely, Sarah Palin will portray herself as a "reformer" and a "maverick." Joe Biden can then come back with, "does a reformer hire a lobbyist to get earmarks?" "Does a maverick cut spending for special-needs children?"

The question is how the judges will score McCain's snark. When it comes to figuring out who wins, it helps to realize that a presidential debate is the evil spawn of Olympic gymnastics and Wall Street. It's how a gymnast can get a bronze medal when missing a landing and falling -- a totally subjective verdict. On Wall Street, it's a matter of meeting expectations. A company may gain 10% in its earnings, but if the Street thought it would be 15%, then the company gets hammered.

Obama did well meeting McCain's behavior head-on. Next time, a little guile will go a long way by helping to isolate and illuminate McCain's misleading and unfortunate tactics.

Follow Art Brodsky on Twitter: www.twitter.com/artbrodsky

Comments

[Reau482]

Since McCain wants to "win" the war in Iraq at all costs, I wish Obama would have asked him exactly what "winning" entails this week - I would be curious to know the answer to that question.

[ohmercy]

Very good points.
I wish the debate coaches and the teams would watch the debates with people like you (or me!)- people who are actually looking at the nuances and seeing where there is an opportunity to make a cut with finesse.

AND also to highlite ones own strength with some self deprecation, or acknowledgement- like since when is taking a nuanced view, being thoughtful before making a snap judgement a bad thing?

"I know I am criticized for--- but my experience has led me to understand that waiting a moment and gathering facts is more important than making blustering declarations...
or some such.

And not hitting McCain on a couple of things that were so up front asking for it- like the "vets" and the "torture."
YIKES- I was shouting at the TV- maybe if the debate advisors were sitting with some real people instead of each other they might have a different grasp-
Meaning that they may all be brilliant but they are surrounded by people like them, the "bubble" effect- they live, eat, breath the campaign right now and tend to see things in a certain way after awhile- joe schmo could bring some fresh air in.

Palin- I hope Joe nails her with the charging for rape kits and I hope Gwen asks her about her pastor aqnd the witches.
Dear God, why isn't that getting any play? Why are no Repub operatives who went on and on about Wright being asked about it?
sheesh.

[sftbreeze1970]

It has really surprised me that no one has really addressed one of the most memorable parts of the night. When John McCain talked about a "spending freeze" Obama likened it to using a hatchet when what's really needed is a scalpel. That totally highlights the nature of the two candidates. Obama understands that you must look at every angle and discover the best, most efficient way to solve a problem. Where as McCain has more often than not lately been bellowing "Off with their heads."

[NikiVA]

I agree with the point that Obama had several missed opportunities and, as yourself, feel that he must find McCain's "catch phrases" and transition them to McCain at the next debate. Especially the comment that" he knows vets...vets know him... and vets know that he will take care of them..."
What about the GI Bill?? R u kiddin me!!!

Anyway, I must be the only one who feels that McCains lack of eyecontact was more than desdain. It appeared to me that his strategy was to appear superior and "Above Obama". I believe, subliminally, McCain wanted others to see that Obama was "So small and trivial" compared to himself, that he didnt even warrant the respect of his attention.

[knighthowl]

Frankly, even as a Navy vet, I took that as fear. I don't see how it could be seen as anything else.

[gblair]

I agree. What bothered me a bit about Obama's performance was his reticence to turn the patronizing "you don't understand" right back at McCain, when it would have been very appropriate. God knows it would love to see him really lay into McCain about how disgraceful it is that he has sacrificed all of his core principles in this race.
But I also believe that his instinct not to be patronizing right back is what makes him a great leader. If his moral core says there's an alternative to an attack, that's a moral core I think is presidential .
I'm gonna trust Obama to stay true to his moral core and remain focused as he travels the moral high ground to the White House.

[TruthStar9]

Godd job and great judgment on your part.

You see what so many miss.

[yvotered]

Is it just me or did everything McCain say last night sound like one of his untruthful commericals. He, McCain that is, would have served himself better going on FoxNews for a hour as all of his lines were pulled right out of his TV ads. Only thing that was missing is the I'm john McCain and I approve this message.

[ewoman]

yvotered - I'm glad someone else saw that - I told a friend I felt like I was watching all this seasons' McCain commercials as he was talking. He appears to be a robot.

[abby4ever]

***There are some who believe Al Gore lost the presidency in part because of his behavior during the debates with George Bush in 2000. The head-shaking and sighing conveyed to some a distasteful attempt at superiority.

What we saw tonight from John McCain totally outclassed Gore's behavior in terms of being obnoxious. ***

I was surprised at what came after the above, for I was expecting you to talk about what everyone is talking about today: that M never looked at O even once in 90 minutes, not even a glance in the general direction of O. People are seeing this for what it is: sm allness, mea nness, pe ttiness, con tempt, dis dain, etc. It may be that small thing that will sometimes ruin a candidate, despite it's size.

[loveHP]

>>M never looked at O...

It's good to see this is getting a lot of attention. McCain knew he couldn't face Obama and still keep the lid on. He had to suppress himself so much some of his jabs sounded more like bleats, making him appear small and ineffectual, rather than presidential. This may seem like a small thing, but his anger and his absolutist mentality are a big deal. He's a dangerous man.

[bronceye]

What macane doesn't understand is that he is soooooo 20th century. It's a new time, he's a dinosaur fossil. His ideas have been used and abused. We need change. He sounded just like bush.

[dutchess2]

Do you think they'll really allow Palin to debate?

[RumiSouth]

T the risk of repeating myself: OK, time for us all to take a Seroquel and chill the f*** out.

Obama didn't deliver knockout punches because this is only the first debate. He has plenty of time to do that. He's a wily one, and he fed McCain all the rope he wanted -- knowing full well that the pundits and surrogates wil deliver the blows for him.

McCain, meanwhile came across as snide, smarmy, and patronizing. He never once looked at Obama. The split-screen effect made McCain look awful in comparison. The Visuals of this debate are what will do the damage over the news cycle.

Remember: presidential debates aren't like high school or college. You don't "score points" with facts and ideas (unfortunately). If that was so, Al Gore would be wrapping up his second term. Like Bush, Obama is the one who came out of this looking sensible, capable, and God help me, NORMAL. Of the two candidates, he's the one I could imagine having a beer with -- though I'm sure it would be some fancy Canadian microbrew -- while McCain is someone I don't even want to be around.

[gblair]

There are plenty of great American local microbrews Obama could choose among.

[DerekRC]

I saw an Obama who had no problem rambling for 4 minutes, and then spending the following 2 minutes trying to interrupt McCain. Both are typical indicators of a unprepared and defensive debator.

But I'm sure that Olbermann saw it differently.

[TruthStar9]

?????? Wha??????

Come back and try it again.

[Gidster]

In your dreams? That did not happen in the televised debate, or maybe you have the secret Republican debaters filter, you and the other Republican master debaters.........

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

McCain's behavior was very unpresidential; he was like a short older version of Bush with that smirk.

[knowBuddhaU]

I bow in your virtual direction. As a practitioner of ka-do, the way of the poet, I greatly appreciate your point. The West would rather machine Life than Be it.

[bluevillage]

I knew he was going to act like this. It was his style all through the primaries. I'm sure he was told to try to tone that behavior down, but he just can't help himself.

[DeniseD]

McCain is a mean, angry. little man.

I know this is not relevant, but I thought Barack looked very handsome last night.

[MyVoiceHere]

Watching McCain during the debate reminded me how I know my children are being dishonest or lying- they can not look me in the eyes. Then his demeanor reminded me that my kids make mad faces and are tense while in a time out.