America Finally Gets a Presidential Debate, Because Candidates Gave Them One
Viewers Thursday night finally got something closely resembling a debate between the two candidates for president -- though moderator Bob Schieffer, good as he was, didn't have a lot to do with it.
I'm crediting instead all the complaints about the last two debates between John McCain and Barack Obama, in which both men avoided questions they didn't like and ran over time limits like a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas Eve sale.
Clearly, the format of this debate also fed interaction, as both men sat at a table within feet of each other, needing only a nod and brief word of "response?" from Schieffer to bring an energetic rebuttal.
Early on, I got the feeling this was the kind of clash that would play better for McCain over the radio than on TV. Visually, the Republican echoed all the attitudes voters have been telling pollsters for the last week or so they dislike: bitter anger, impatience, a dismissive contempt for his rival and an impatient glee in unleashing attacks he thinks might damage his opponent.
Obama on the other hand, played a safer game -- batting back the expected attacks on former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers, contentions that he wants to tax small business and John Lewis' comparison of the rhetoric during Sarah Palin rallies to racist activists during the civil rights era.
But he didn't respond to some accurate complaints from McCain -- that Democratic ads have mischaracterized his stands on illegal immigration and stem cell research -- instead, reaching for independent voters with a passionate middle-ground justification for abortion rights.
CBS anchor Schieffer mostly scored by setting the table with interesting questions and getting out of the way, interrupting only occasionally to move on when both men seemed willing to keep arguing points. "By now, we've heard all the talking points," he told the candidates at the start. "Let's try to tell the people some things they haven't heard."
Watching part of CNN's coverage, with its controversial gauge from a sample of uncommitted voters providing real time indications of their opinion, you saw their interest rise whenever talk turned to the struggles they were facing every day, dipping when the discussion veered into campaign tactics and old history.
I will break with many pundits arguing that McCain's 20 references to Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher was an inspired stroke -- to these ears, it felt more like a campaign tactic, particularly when the references kept coming well into the debate. It felt even odder when Wurzelbacher, wading through the expected round of post-debate interviews, clearly favored McCain though he would not admit it -- saying Obama tap-danced around his questions like Sammy Davis Jr. in an uncomfortable moment during an interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric.
(Points to CBS News and Couric for nailing the first TV interview with Wurzelbacher, though she loses half those points for putting him on so late in the network's coverage that he literally was able to answer just one question on network TV, before they moved the interview to the Web)
McCain's declaration that "I am not George Bush, if you wanted to run against him you should have done it four years ago" was a line conservatives probably loved. But to those leaning toward Obama, it probably sounded like a flip response to his candidacy's biggest weakness -- its association with a deeply unpopular president.
I was surprised by the snap polls from CBS and CNN showing a big win for Obama (53 to 22 percent in Obama's favor in CBS' poll? Really?) I don't think McCain ran the table like he wanted, but he did raise his rhetorical game. Unfortunately, the bases he kept touching -- lower taxes, school vouchers, anti-abortion ideals -- were issues electrifying the GOP base with little appeal for swing voters. Ditto with the grouchy attacks and petulant campaign complaints; that stuff just convinces voters you care more about your own pain than theirs.
By mostly keeping his calm and occasionally reaching for the independents -- even while describing GOP supporters calling for him to be killed during rallies -- Obama narrowly "won" a debate that felt much more like a vigorous clash between two skilled politicians than previous exchanges. Thank goodness they both decided it was time -- just in time for voters.
Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Hofstra Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers
Follow Eric Deggans on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Deggans
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Where in the debate was there anything but rhetoric about the "middle class"?
We need to remember that tenants are being evicted from their apartments, despite the fact that they have always paid their rent on time because the banks are foreclosing on the mortgages held by he owners. We need to recognize that 2.2 million people are incarcerated in the U.S. because of the drug war. As the stock market continues to crash and credit is squeezed out of this economy more people will lose their jobs and pension safety net.
When in the debate did anyone dare say "Social Security has to be transformed to more than a supplement for those in dire need"? When in the debate did anyone say that large areas of our cities resemble Berlin after WW2? When in the debate did anyone admit: "I should have listened to Ralph Nader about NAFTA, the stock market and real oversight of corporations"?
The questions asked were the questions answered. Obama at least has made direct reference to supporting those being evicted from apartments. He has talked about shoring up Social Security while McCain has made several references (at least before the stock market crash) to 'letting you have control of YOUR money' as if it's not your money in Social Security that is guaranteed rather than risked in SS. Obama has insisted on major restructuring of free trade - and last night McCain extolled its virtues (and ignored its impacts.) Instead of worrying what was not said, pay attention to what WAS said. There is never enough room even in 90 minutes for everything, especially when the moderator plays on the side of one candidate by spending time on the Ayers and ACORN stories. SICK of that, but there it is. Vote for Nader if you choose (Kucinich was my candidate) but know he'd be a lousy president and does vastly better as an outside critic that we sorely need.
I agree with CitizenE, John McCain's hurt feelings about the statement John Lewis issued are not our problem, poor baby. He looked small and ridiculous and egotistical. John Lewis had every right to blow that shot right over the bow of the The Hate Talk Express and quite frankly, I think it was a responsible thing to do. Where McCain went wrong, he could have agreed in spirit that in a time of great economic fear we need to remain calm and respect all Americans. He could have been the bigger man but he paled in comparison.
The moderators in all three debates were sub par in this: the lack of follow-up questions. The candidates’ first answers were often warm ups to the real answer (sometimes outright evasive). Due to some agreement I don’t know or understand, the moderators never asked a follow-up question that would press the candidates to cough up a clearer, and more comprehensive answer. A panel of journalists representing both parties, including independents, would better serve debates – and Americans. Obama won the three debates. No question. The level of discussion seldom rose above sound bites, slogans, and catch phrases. Americans cannot have it both ways. They cannot complain about inexperienced, juvenile vice-presidential candidates playing to the camera, to Joe six-pack and Joe the plumber, and allow presidential debates to play to the same crowd and cater to the lowest possible common denominator, as if there were some virtue in that. The debates were simply 90-minute ads for both parties, and reflected a disturbing level of fear across the board and political parties, a fear of ideas, of proposing and debating them, seriously. To not lose, not risk, not trip, not look bad defined victory. The decline of America is most visible through Americans’ fear of ideas. An increasingly insular America is slowly succeeding in categorizing ideas as public enemy # 1. To go backwards in the first decade of the 21st Century should concern all Americans. Political debates must try to reverse the trend.
The joe guy was a plant--- he was a plant-- can mainstream media get the story out--are Keith, Rachel and ChrisM- having to carry the load and do all the digging-- joe plumber was a plant-
Apparently so!
McCain was ok last night until he lost it by whining about John Lewis, then equating Obama's ad critiquing his health plan interrupting his enjoyment at a football game with Sarah Palin saying that Obama pals around with terrorists, which segued into the spreading the wealth bit and the "health" of a woman nonsense.
Obama simply stuck to his fundamental policy offerings, which by now the American voting populace, Independent and Democrat, clearly get--tax breaks for the middle class, a ten year energy program, health care that lowers costs and makes it accessible. Steady as he goes, a disarming smile muting, thankfully, McCain's nonstop discordance.
McCain threw everything down the kitchen sink, tossing fragments of his expertise and philosophy like bric a brac down the drain, leaving it up to Joe The Plumber to unclog his verbal sink. Yeah, he's done a lot; yeah, he seems to know some things that Obama will have to learn on the job, but the way the guy loses his thread every other second, not to mention his petulant impatience, does not breed confidence.
On the other hand, Obama's non combatative stance: on the left we know he has dirt on McCain and Palin; it's knee deep and a mile wide; Obama has done us all a service by not bringing up the litany of slime he might have if he had been more like John McCain.
This was McCain's best debate by far. In the second debate he wandered aimlessly around looking old and lost. Last night he had energy and fire. His strongest moment was when he actually committed to the Ayres/Acorn points. The facts were not on his side, but he committed.
That being said, McCain came across as mean spirited, his self congratulatory smirks when he felt he landed a zinger, his derisive snorts picked up by the mic, and his eye rolls did not seem very Presidential to me.
Is this how he will act with a head of state?
Excuse me Senator, your contempt is showing!
My brother called last night and changed his vote from Senator Obama to Senator McCain. He is a small business man agrees with McCain's position after hearing it. I was surprised. He has always voted as a Democrat. He feels that the more he knows Senator Obama, the more he is concerned with his views on taxes and world views. He also stated that he became concerned the minute he learned of Ayers. Too many concerning connections with Ayers, Renzko, Wright, Pfleger and Ferrikan. I agreed.
If your brother is changing his vote because of last night's debate, then he was clearly never solidly in Obama's camp in the first place. A democrat who votes for McCain is not a democrat as McCain's ideals are the same as those of the right wing.
Suuuuure he did. You're a hard leaning Republican and after reading some of your other comments I doubt you even have a brother. Take your guilt by association accusations back to your chain letter campaign.
The reason you were surprised was that it was a dream.
I'm always curious why voters would be concerned with interactions Sen O had a dozen years ago, but have no concern for the wall to wall lobbyists running the Mc.Cain campaign.
Do you really believe Ayers is going to affect American domestic and foreign policy more strongly than the Washington shills in the pocket of big oil and Wall Street?
If you truly have an issue with influence in the White House, explain how Ayers is more dangerous to middle class interests than Timmons or Davis.
Because Republicans can do no wrong in the eyes of their base. The only shady relation that they can trot out against Obama is Rezko, the others are guys whose positive contributions outweight their "moments" that the GOP focuses on.
McCain is a completely different story.
Thank you for the laugh.
I don't think many people were really undecided as of last night. They wanted a reason to back up their soft choice. I'm not sure what "playing it safe" really means...did people want Obama to be more aggressive? It's not his style. McCain still failed to address the needs of the middle class in this, despite his many references to his new pet plumber (a man, I might add, who I feel certain was going to vote for McCain no matter what).
The polls after the debate show me that people were looking for weakness in Obama and saw none. McCain may have rallied, but he should have done so three debates ago. And this proves to me also that a good debate doesn't make people like a candidate they've already found distasteful. We got more of McCain last night...nothing new, and Obama did a masterful job at not allowing McCain to draw him into anything nasty. McCain was boxing...Obama was using kung fu. The playing field was never level.
I am confused by the analysis that Obama played it safe. He did what he has consistently done from the beginning of the election cycle: laid out his policy, explained the differences and why his is the better choice, and redirected the discussion back to the issues. This was, in my and in everyone I know's opinion, his strongest debate performance.
He was on fire last night. John McCain, on the other hand was all over the place. He may have been more forceful because he was sitting down, but that didn't make this a stronger performance for him.
It was funny that my husband was squirming all over the place every time McCain spoke, and finally asked me to fast-forward through McCain speaking--he said he couldn't stand listening to him anymore!
While watching the debate, I felt like Obama looked tired, almost sleepy, and seemed flat...this morning, though, seeing some of the things he said, he really did respond well to every attack McCain lobbed at him.
I wanted more passion out of Obama, and my husband kept saying he was doing everything right. I guess hubby was right!
Read Why Obama Made the Right Move in Talkiing About Ayers
http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/top-5-ayers-counter-attacks/
Read Why Obama Made the Right Decision in Defending John Lewis
http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/john-lewis-vs-john-mccain/
this is a very well reasoned piece on the John Lewis incident by the writer (Casey Gane-McCalla) = thank you poster!
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
