That One?!

They say that Senator McCain's strong suit is the town hall debate. If this was, in fact, Senator McCain's strength, he might as well go home. Sorry... homes.

While not as smirky as the first debate, Senator McCain was jittery, reptilian (the darting tongue), scattered and overall just plain creepy. At no time was this more obvious than when he referred to Senator Obama as "that one," calling to mind some of the not-so-subtle race baiting that has been the spasmodic, desperate tactic du jour for McCain and his airheaded coward of a running mate.

Meanwhile, as Senator Obama spoke, Senator McCain appeared to wander aimlessly around the stage -- lurking in the shadows like a hissing "gangrel creature with an ill-favored look" -- Gollum with a mic.

At one point, an African American woman was asking him about green jobs and he turned his back on her -- skulking off towards his podium presumably to pop another Ativan or whatever made him sleepily whisper many of his answers. This disrespectful gesture was on the heels of McCain correcting an African American audience member on "bailout" versus "rescue," and foreshadowed McCain's flat out refusal to shake Senator Obama's hand.

Senator Obama, meanwhile, was sharp, cool and presidential. And he hit McCain hard on foreign policy -- among other things, questioning McCain's judgment on Iraq after McCain dropped his "Obama doesn't understand" line. Senator Obama also let fly on McCain's inability to "speak softly" on "bomb, bomb Iran" and "next stop Baghdad." But where Senator Obama succeeded tonight beyond the undisputed accomplishment of his first debate performance was that he seemed to speak directly to you and me tonight. He spoke to our concerns about the economy. This is probably why, on half a dozen answers, the hypnotic CNN dial lines spiked off the charts.

At the end of the Bartlet/Ritchie debate on The West Wing, James Brolin's Governor Ritchie approaches Martin Sheen's President Bartlet and concedes defeat in the entire election as a consequence of Bartlet's debate performance, to which President Bartlet replies, "You'll be back." Following this debate, McCain must know that he's lost this election, barring some major national event. Indeed, he could very well have lost this one tonight.

BobCesca.com -- Go!

Comments

[MaynardGK]

I'm sorry, but i have to jump ship for this.

McCain was posing a rhetorical question, and his formulation provided
two alternative answers, this one (himself) or that one (the other).
On the other hand, he did accompany this with some really aggressive body language.
Put it all together, you're glimpsing McCain's vindictive anger beneath the surface.

[Likipedia]

No he wasn't he was stating a "fact" about his only vote that differed with Bush/Cheney....
Remember, "you know who voted with Bush and Cheney? that one, you know who didn't? me"

[Debanne]

It makes little difference to me whether McCain wins or loses this election; I will never have respect for this man. Ditto for Palin.

[Thundrsong]

I agree 100%, and here's the sad part, there was a time (about 8 years ago) that I thought, "you know what, there's a republican I think I could get behind." I even remember saying to a Republican friend during the primaries that I'd be OK with him as president - at least more than that other goof they had on tap (I think his name was Bush). But now, I have ZERO respect for McCain. He has spent every last bit of his "nobility" and is now as far in debt as the nation.

He should be ashamed. I can only imagine he looks at his tarnished medals and wonders how they got so filthy.

[TSPEY]

Today is the day we find out about 'THIS ONE'... Troopergate:

http://tspey.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/headlines-sarah-palin/

[IndianasBlueIn08]

But you all have to remember, giving McCain the benefit of the doubt, he was alive during the times of mass slave auctions in the south. "That One" is how you picked your favorite. Maybe this is a compliment to Obama.... McCain picks you.... Feel fortunate for the honor.

In all seriousness, when I heard the comment I sat stunned for a minute, grab my remote and replayed it at least 4 times because I couldn't actually believe I heard him correctly. As for whether he is a racist of not. He's 72, how many 72 year old white men you know who aren't to some degree? Go to the country club and wait for one of them to tell a joke. $10 says is racial in tone. It's old school mentality, vitage ideology and cultural disconnects that both enable the action and excuse the intent. I'm sorry Sen. McCain, it's no longer acceptable.

The Obama campaign has never brought into question McCain's honor, but McCain seems hell bent of on questioning it himself. Act honorably sir. For your own sake.

[rshrink]

I believe McCain has helped us with a fantastic slogan for Obama:
"I'm voting for that one!"

[TrevorAlan]

Yeah, lets own it. He meant it as an insult, we'll take it to the bank.

[rshrink]

I think McCain has helped us with a great slogan:

"I'm voting for that one!"

[Banji81]

I sincerely doubt that McAncientofdays meant this new catch phrase that he coined all by his cranky self in a racist way, but the fact of the matter is, he has pretty much lost any benefit of the doubt at this point. That One, on the other hand, well, he's got my vote!

[StateofTaxes]

Considering the context in which McCain used the "that one" remark, not much doubt what he meant; but, to be fair, there is always the slim chance he just had a brain freeze(either because he was so angry by that time in the debate, or, a senior moment,and he forgot Senator Obama's name(he seemed to have a problem getting the names correct of the people who's questions he was taking, after all..)
I will give McCain 1 point however, towards helping out the economy, something he promised to do!
(I love the "That one" comment so much, have already ordered several hats and shirts with that on it; so Thank you Senator McCain, you finally kept a promise!

"That One/Biden, 08!

[KenFL]

When McCain said "that one", I was struck by the reaction to this phrase by the young black man sitting in the audience, who was on the screen behind McCain.

He turned his head sideways and physically recoiled from the insult - I think he understood exactly what McCain was saying.

(sorry if this has already been mentioned - I didn't have time to read all the comments)

[KenFL]

Correction - I'm referring to the man just behind and to the left of Obama, who is seated during this exchange. I'm surprised this hasn't been noticed before - he seems to be saying "oh, good grief, I can't believe he just said that" through his body language.

It would be nice if an enterprising reporter would track this fellow down and ask his reaction to what McCain said.

[Schnides]

If the man McCain said that to was a white man, then what you think or say? He may not be your choice of President, but he's not a racist idiot who would say a racist statement in front of the mixed racial attendies and television viewers. This whole "that one" statement has been blown out of proportion KenFL. If Obama said that to McCain and people whined about it, I would have the exact same opinion knowing that Obama wasn't insulting McCain's race.

[CindyWV]

That one? Better than the other one.

[paulita]

I am waiting for McCain to slip and call Senator Obama "Boy" at the next debate. "That one" was pretty close."

Some of the media try to make the phrase "that one," seem like a grandmother referring to one of a brood of grandchildren, while charitable: NOT!!!

You must look at the evidence cumulatively... calling Senator Obama naive, not voting for Martin Luther King Jr day, ignoring Obama, not shaking his hand, not looking at him, and on and on. It is what it is. I would think America would want to vote to get rid of this divisiveness. I agree with the ideals of deTocquevilleA critic of individualism,

"Tocqueville thought that association, the coming together of people for common purpose, would bind Americans to an idea of nation larger than selfish desires, thus making both a self-conscious political society and a civil society which wasn't exclusively dependent on the state."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_toqueville

Let us elect Senator Obama and strive for a de Tocquevilles America.

[sisterdebmac]

Exactly, whether the remark was racist or not, McCan't has shown nothing but an utter lack of respect and even common decency toward BO. His contempt can no longer be masked. No matter why he hates his opponent, it's very plainly clear that he does in fact despise the man.

[RGray]

Remember the Senator McCain ad referencing Senator Obama as "The One" in mocking tones. Actually Senator McCain is about to be "The One." Who will soon be the first White American to lose to an African American in a presidential bid? Senator John McCain is The One!

[taniacaa]

Why are we so surprised by McCains' dismissal of Obama? McCain has treated his wife, his colleagues, and, acquaintances like this forever. I think Americans are beginning to see the real McCain.

[Hotochan]

I love the depiction of "Gollum with a mic" .. right on dude.

[PepperzMom]

Take a look...yes, over there, a leetle bit down...that's it! My bumper...yup.

It's the proud new owner of a "demo blue" bumper sticker saying "I'm voting for "THAT ONE"! HAd it printed out at a local quick print place....

PS: Bob, sounds like you're still trying to avoid a George Carlin-ista meltdown.