We Can't Afford More Of The... Smirk

This foreign policy debate was supposed to be Senator McCain's strongest of the series of three. And while he was effective at being a jittery war-monger and invoking words like "Petraeus" and "Miss Congeniality" seemingly at random, he was out-commander-in-chiefed by Senator Obama. More importantly, it ought to be clear by now that Senator Obama has the temperament to be an effective chief executive.

Where Senator McCain was unserious and petulant, Senator Obama was forceful, sharp and, at times, magnanimous. Hell, Senator McCain couldn't even look Senator Obama in the eye. Not once. Instead, Senator McCain snickered and smirked during the discussion of very serious issues. Where have we seen that behavior before?

After two weeks of spasmodic "blurt out random crap" behavior from Senator McCain, he absolutely failed to disprove any of the observations -- from both sides -- that he doesn't have the temperament nor the even keel to do the gig.

One more thing... Did John McCain suggest that America is funneling tax dollars... to terrorists?

Bob Cesca's Goddamn Awesome Blog! Go!

Read more reactions to the first presidential debate from HuffPost bloggers, including Nora Ephron, Bob Shrum, Madeleine Albright, Paul Reiser, Arianna Huffington, Sean Penn, Sheryl Crow, and more.

Comments

[deminmo]

Besides being rude to a fellow Senator, McCain just seems
to take for granted he will be, or already is, President. When
he said he went to Iraq and he knew something had to be done,
I figured he was channeling Bush.
Senator Obama was much more "Presidential" in demeanor, but
I wish he would have said exactly what he would do to get troups
out of Iraq, yet have some plan for keeping the country from falling
apart. McCain is afraid to have a real plan. I don't think he can
concieve of being wrong, so he just isn't. The next debate should
be better.

[2bsure]

I wonder if Joe Lieberman (Johnny's pilot fish #1) has had the opportunity to get all up in McCain's "bearings" for an inspection since the debate. Maybe Lindsey Graham (pilot fish #2) got to do it this time.

Does anyone know?

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/msnbc_mccain_lieberman_bearings_050908.mov

[2bsure]

PS -- Here's a better better link:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/05/09/lieberman-i-personally-checked-john-mccains-bearings/

[shel3364]

I saw an interview with Bob Schieffer where he said the debate he was to moderate would be one where the candidates talked to each other (much like Friday's was supposed to be).

This would be an excellent opportunity for Obama to turn to McCain and ask him a direct question and not let up until he is answered..­. of course in that cool manner of his... not like me where I'd call him a prick and yell at him to look me in the eye.

[BardEric]

After the debate, I was left with a burning question; If John (as he says) is more able to reach across the isle, why the apparent disdain for the democrat he shared the debate stage with? He couldn't even muster enough respect for Barack to look him in the eye, once! If as he says he can walk the walk as well as talk the talk, then I would have expected a little more respect and consideration of his co-debater, instead of dismissing his rebuttles with a snarky "he just doesn't understand". Last night, John painted himself as an out of touch hypocrite, not his self proclaimed portrait of a maverick.

[puffhost]

My take is that McCain could not look Obama in the eye due to intimidation, not due to lack of respect. Like he realizes that he functions on a lower level. Points to McCain for realizing that much, I guess.

[MadJeffersonian]

GIVE HIM NO POINTS!

McCain can't stand the fact that his younger opponent understands the economy better than he does and understands foreign policy much better than he is given credit for. How many former secretaries of state support talks with our enemies? That ticks McCain off. Couple all of that with the fact his opponent is half white/half black, but looks black, and quite intelligent and charismatic. McCain just can't stand any of that.

Judging by what I overheard some of his Texas supporters say today, that they wouldn't acknowledge Obama's presence either, it seems his supporters are just as rude and can't fathom an intelligent black man heading the country either.

[notthistime]

he also admitted we were torturing prisoners and that would stop under his administration.

[puffhost]

Wow, he should have started by taking a firm stance against waterboarding while in the Senate.

[mesuki]

How can America claim victory in Iraq? it was never a fair fight to begin with. A powerful country like the US invades a tiny defenseless country like Iraq and McCain says we can't leave in defeat....­Please this man is insane.He'­s fought one too many wars.He needs to sit his butt down somewhere and let someone with some sense run this country for a change!

[deminmo]

No one, especially McCain has any idea how to back out of
Iraq without the country going into civil war, or Iran taking over.
The surge that McCain is so proud of was supposed to allow time
for the Iraqi's to take the next steps. That's all. It took paying money
to keep the peace so far. And no Republican can say the US staying
in Iraq doesn't include providing security for oil companies, and to
make sure there are permanent bases. This war is sucking the US
dry money wise. And seriously hampering our security from other
9/11 style attacks, because of our depleted military.

[oncethere]

Limbaugh and Hannity have been painting Obama as arrogant and elitist for the last few months, when the truth is that McCain is the one who is arrogant. How does one debate with others who constantly project their own attitudes, motives, feelings onto others. Like when Mc calls Obama "stubborn" because he believes he "clings' to his belief the war is not working.

I would urge Obama to just say, "I'm sorry, John, but you are projecting again."

[renatam]

You are correct. To McCain, Rush, Rove, Sean - and their reality/default -- Barack IS arrogant/elitist.

They compartmentalize where someone like Barack should fit, who he should be and how far he should be permitted to go -- based upon their 1950s status quo. Sarah Palin represents THEIR standards for feminism. Both are perversions.

Of course, this setup has promoted legacy mediocrities like themselves over our best and brightest. WE are reaping the whirlwind as a result. Dynasties and monarchies often end like this. Inbreeding and elevation based upon nepotism -- holds a people back. America's strength has been our resistence to this standard. That was our flawed Founding Fathers genius.

Since 1980, we have had an elite tier of Bush/Clinton Inc. -- and a royal court of lobbyists and toadies, including the constantly deregulated and bailed out monied interests -- maintaining a status quo and diminishing the very foundations of the stability of the American Middle Class, which girds the Nation's economy. Like the era of the robber barrons prior to the Depression, an elite group have been the sole beneficiaries of our American system -- and the vast majority the insurance policy propping the few, absorbing the RISKS. This was a perversion and remains so. Republicans and DLC-Repub-lites ushered in this era on steroids during the Bush/Clinton eras...pro­fitably for both.

ENOUGH.

[RumiSouth]

The McCain campaign's attacks on Obama are pure psychological projection. The elitist says Obama is elitist, the arrogant jerk says Obama's an arrogant jerk, ad nauseum. These ads say more about McSame than they do about Obama.

[renatam]

McCain, born during the COLONIALIST ERA -- in American Panama -- can't believe he is on the stage and being challenged by someone named Barack Obama. His pique at what he believes should be automatic deference due to his POW status and ....well..­.legacy superiority that translates into being able to lie on-demand w/out challenge by certain types...wa­s obvious. This relic from the "Mad Men" era and his curious female VP throw-back Candidate.­..represen­ts all the worst of the American 20th Century. Ironically, Senators Obama and Biden -- who have transitioned into the 21st Century and are paving a future path -- represent what was/is best of the American 20th Century. From different backgrounds, generations and zeitgeists -- they have formed a partnership -- to move us forward, if we are smart enough to pull for them and listen to our better angels.

[weg203]

pretty good, thanks

[shel3364]

I believe Clinton felt the same way... "how DARE this young upstart challenge ME!! - I deserve this".

You earn the presidency through votes, not time on this earth.

[matthewhusseinsmith]

We have won the Iraq war long ago.
Now, how do we win an occupation?
We don't; get the Iraqis to stand up so we can get the h*ll out of there.

[boing007]

So, I guess the legacy of the Vietnam War is not dead yet. John McCain is proof of that.

[Indieguy]

I was quite puzzled by some of the faces that McCain pulled. Some of them seemed to express a wide range of emotions all at once. Personally I don't trust a man who won't look me in the eye when he's talking to me. What was all of that about? On some level I think that McCain is affraid of Obama, as well he should be. The BIG question is, how will McCain respond to being beaten by a relatively young black man? That could be a volcanic moment.

[wildflowermaven]

My take on it is that McCain will never recover if he loses. He's abandoned any principles he once had to further his candidacy. I think he's still trying to please his dad, having never made admiral, he thinks if he becomes president, maybe at last he'll be met with approval from beyond the grave.

[KodeBloo]

I think you're right about this having more psychological levels than the one or two that appear on the surface. I feel like McCain is a Potemkin Political Personality, all superficial and nothing behind it. In a truly high wind or raging storm he would be leveled by the stresses.

[renatam]

McCain, Lieberman and (Hillary/Bill) Clinton will never recover.

Some Republican strategists sat this one out because they realized this might be a career-ending transformational Election. Some recused themselves completely from the field, making less profits for their firms -- but maintaining their relevance in what Bush Sr. used to call "the new world order."

[weg203]

yeah, you almost feel sorry for McCain

[krocklin]

McCain has gotten far too mileage out of his participation in the most ignominious war in American history -- until the Iraq "war", that is.
His resentment stems more from his denial about the Vietnam War than any other psychological factor. A deeply disturbed man.

[karmafriend]

speaking of temperamen­t...mccain was caught on tape saying "horseshit" twice while obama was speaking.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/09/27/mccain_caught_on_tape.html

such class!

[NHGranite]

Sounds and looks like he said Horseshit and a few seconds later That's horseshit but the camera was only on the side of his face, so I could be wrong. Looks like, sounds like, must be (a la Cheech & Chong)

[IzzyCA]

I listened to it 3 times. He said "horseshit" twice. McCain is emotionally immature. We need a grownup in the White House, for a change.

YES WE CAN

[dutch163]

I could not STAND the smirks...w­hat an arrogant man..not one I want in charge
Obama was intelligent and people who know the facts would hand him the debate

[Tenley]

Half the electorate chose Obama as their presidential nominee -- he is not an enemy of the United States, nor are the people who voted for him. McCain certainly acted as though that were the case, however.

[kcampbell]

Did anybody notice that he said "horseshit" twice on national television????? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26909249#26909711...At the 4:30 mark. Unreal....

[weg203]

boy, you guys are good