I was one of those fortunate enough to attend the Presidential Town Hall Debate this past Tuesday, along with a fellow Veteran for Obama supporter. I'm a Blue Star Families for Obama member with two sons having served in Iraq and one likely to return - things are up in the air right now.
From our perch high up, it was cold in the room (they'd warned us and I understand - studio lights and all). Unfortunately the sound system made me have to strain to hear every word, and though I would've missed a "hey, can I call ya Joe" moment, I think I got most of it.
To me, it was the body language that told the real story of this debate, from start to finish. To get a sense of my impressions from the nosebleed section:
Before the debate started, the audience stood around in a lovely atrium. Unfortunately, there was only one usable restroom for the entire crowd (not too well thought out, methinks), and you can imagine the lines. As I stood there, Bill Frist ended up chatting with a few folks right in front of me. I could've touched him!
Once in our seats, a heart-tugging moment came in the pre-debate "orientation" when one of the Commission on Presidential Debates Spokesmen introduced "a man who's been through a few of these debates before" and Al and Tipper Gore stood up. The room gave a warm standing ovation for the pair who were sitting in the middle of the audience area with other VIP's, I suppose. Fortunately, I wasn't too far from there so could see and hear pretty well, all things considered.
So now for my take: First off, the lighting made me think Barack's suit was brown and his shirt yellow. An odd choice I thought until it occurred to me it was the lighting. Also, I found very, very, very few minorities in that audience. Does that mean Gallup had such a hard time trying to find undecided blacks, Latinos, Asians they were left with a pretty homogenous group. Does that mean McCain's supposed Republican base are more undecided than one would believe? Does that mean some fibbed and told the pollsters calling middle Tennesseans they were undecided when they really weren't? (I'd been sorely tempted to do that should the opportunity arise, but I imagine Gallup's ability to suss out voting tendencies is more sophisticated than random calling.)
From the very first question, it occurred to me that Senator McCain looked awkward and uncomfortable. He would sit, hop up from his chair, stroll around (not exactly pace, but stroll) and then sit back down. After a while it made me think of a caged tiger or lion at a zoo.
Senator Obama, on the other hand, sat there. Easily, comfortably (as comfortable as one could there), and looked respectfully at Senator McCain as he spoke. With every question, his posture and demeanor telegraphed that of an individual at ease in the sitation. No, more than that. In COMMAND of the situation.
When it was his turn to speak, Senator McCain would blurt out his response whereas Obama would pause a few seconds before delivering his response. It occured to me that rather than answering the question in his head while McCain spoke, he did, in fact, have the polite manners to sit still and listen. A gentleman.
I grew quite frustrated first off because noone could take photos in the room other than the real media, and second off because I thought Obama should have called out McCain on more of his falsehoods than he did. Or at least mention, when McCain tried to link Obama with Government Corruption and such, his strong record fighting against government waste and calling for transparency and accountability.
I was floored by the number of exaggerations Senator McCain lobbed out, and stunned that he thought he could get away with it. And when he launched into the "This one" statement, it kinda took my breath away for a minute, like, "did I really hear that right?"
All the while, though Barack embodied cool, calm, collected... presidential.
Post-debate, I watched, envious, as the candidates mulled within the little group of undecideds. I missed the no handshake moment but seeing it on replay, am glad I didn't see it. In the end, I am so happy I was part of this moment, am part of this moment in our lifetimes!
And for the first time in a very, very long time, I am excited for the future!