For months, McCain has been bragging about his twenty-six years of foreign policy experience while belittling Obama's experience and judgment in this arena. We've heard how this is McCain's sweet spot. That no one is more qualified to navigate murky global waters.
As Nate Silver aptly points out in the National Review:
There is little doubt that a discussion on foreign policy is playing to McCain's strengths. Even when Obama may be winning a foreign policy argument on points, it probably benefits McCain for foreign policy to be the subject of discussion, period, as it brings his experience, war heroism and purported readiness to the fore.
By all rights, McCain should wipe the floor with Obama tonight. And if McCain doesn't, it will be another devastating blow to his already spiraling and erratic campaign.
Don't get me wrong, I love Obama as a candidate. This is no better orator in modern politics but Obama's a terrible debater. TERRIBLE. During the primary season, Obama frequently stunk up the debate stage with his low energy and meandering answers.
Thanks to Hillary repeatedly and gleefully beating the crap out of him, Obama did improve but more often than not he was long-winded, professorial and aloof. Would it have killed him to make a joke or use a zinger?
Four More Cowboy Years?
For the last eight years, McCain has voted with Bush over 90% of the time including their misguided decision to go to war in Iraq at the expense of focusing on Afghanistan and Al Queda.
In contrast, Obama never left his eye off the Afghanistan ball while Bush and McCain decided to "cut and run" there.
Can we really afford four more years of disastrous Cowboy diplomacy? I was talking to Huffpo's Paul Abrams about McCain's recent random, counterproductive "blurt" about not wanting to talk to friend Spain and not talking to our enemies.
Paul rightly pointed out, that now McCain doesn't want to talk to our ALLY Spain AND he won't talk to our enemies. If McCain won't speak to our enemies AND our friends, he'll be left talking to himself! Or his side-kick Sarah "I See Russia" Palin. Frankly, I am not sure which option is scarier.
On Palin, I've always suspected that like Harriet Miers, the right will ultimately do more damage to her than the left ever could. Now, the National Review's Kathleen Parker begs Palin to fall on her sword for that old GOP favorite "personal reasons":
Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first. Do it for your country.
If McCain's performance this week on the economy is any indication on how he would run our foreign policy, we all have reason to be afraid, very afraid:
McCain has been out of touch -- "The fundamentals are strong".
McCain has been erratic -- "The Republican candidate, according to sources with direct knowledge, sat quiet through most of the meeting, never offered specifics..."
McCain likes stunts - McCain's "Mission Accomplished" Stunt
Can we really afford McSame as Bush?
We can't. Especially with Palin possibly a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
And Senator Obama. Make a quip! Lighten up. Try to keep those answers short and sweet.
Break a leg!