Ringside

There was a moment, when the debate ended and the wives came up on stage, where I actually knew, or thought I knew, who had won. I'm sorry to say it, but it was John McCain. McCain had come into the debate having spent the week as the King of the Loose Screws, but he got through the night without a sign of his irrational behavior, and that seemed like a big win for him.

I was, by the way, the least pessimistic person in the room where we watched the debate, a room full of blue-state pinkos, and our hearts had collectively sunk as we watched Obama miss opportunity after opportunity to score a knockout punch -- as the men in the room tended to put it. (Women are at a decided disadvantage in conversations of this sort: we have no interest whatsoever in the resemblance of presidential candidates to people like Rocky Marciano and Archie Moore.) Because everyone in the room was so depressed and simultaneously full of manly boxing references, I felt guilty even mentioning my concerns about Obama's shirt, which was too loose around his neck, and which was another reason why I thought he had lost the debate -- that, along with his incredibly irritating habit of closing his eyes while standing up.

Anyway, as I say, the impression that McCain had won lasted about a minute, when we began flipping through the stations expecting all our fears to be validated by the dozens of commentators ready to offer their views. To our amazement, the only overlap between our room and the pundits were the boxing references. Obama had won. Even the people who thought McCain had won more rounds than Obama thought Obama had won. McCain had been patronizing. He'd referred to Pakistan as a failed state, which turned out to be untrue. Even Charles Krauthammer thought Obama had done fine. A focus group of undecided voters in Nevada on the Fox Channel (Fox!) had responded more positively to Obama than to McCain.

Could this possibly be true? I don't know. But I decided to do the only thing I could under the circumstances: stop watching the pundits on television for fear it would all change again. They will be on all night discussing the heavyweight championship of the world, but I am going to sleep.

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

Comments

[JUSTME]

Obama did not need to deliver a "knock out punch." McCain was doing just fine on his own. At a time when fully two-thirds of the American people are against the war in Iraq, McCain's entire message was, We're going to stay in Iraq, we're going to stay in Iraq, we're going to stay in Iraq.

Really, people. Calm down. Our guy did just fine.

[notb observer]

I agree with you, there was a lot of saber rattling from McCain in that debate. What I can't understand is that given the number of people (~66%) who oppose the war (and the idea of going to war in the first place), how is it possible that nearly half of the American electorate is still behind McCain. After all, he is the most vocal supporters of the war, and desperately wants it to continue..­.
Are there really a significant number of American voters who oppose the war but support McCain's pro-war stance, or are these people simply forgiving him for his support of the war and just giving him credit in terms of being better suited to "protect" them ?
I don't think these people are thinking very critically. Due to the drawn out US presence in Iraq, the US is no longer able to project force globally, let alone bolster the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Because of Iraq there are no military options for Georgia or Iran if that became a necessity.­.. Is that really the kind of situation that makes these people feel safe ?

[johnnygoodwud]

my experience, this campaign is a chess match, and often barack is five moves ahead. i too was somewhat disappointed he didn't deliver the 'knockout blow', but patience my little pundits. it's all about timing and not peaking to soon. i predict he will deliver a knockout blow during the last debate, which will propel us right into nov. and the election.

[sak]

As a woman who LOVES politics, I thought Obama won big time. Not only did he stay on subject, but his demeanor was that of an intelligent, calm, thinking person. McCain looked uncomfortable on stage, did not look at Obama and laughed inappropriately several times. I read recently that McCain's behavior was similar to that of a submissive monkey when approached by the Alpha male in the family. I can only hope that people will stop falling for the gimicks and pay attention this time because we really do need a thoughtful president who is willing to talk to all parties, including rebellious Republicans and dictators that we do not like. The world is getting smaller every day, thus we must find ways to get along with others.

[ckfan]

PEOPLE CALM DOWN. There are 2 more debates. Obama can't show his hand and bring everything in 1 debate. Most say it was an even debate - which benefits Obama and not McCain. Obama looked and performed like a great leader. McSame looked grumpy.

[renatam]

Contrast the dignity and GRACE of the recently departed Paul Newman...w­ith the money-grubbing, power hungry, self-absorbtion of Bill Clinton -- whose recently amassed ONE BILLION DOLLARS in interests and empire are still insufficient to sate his enormous and all-encompassing GREED for its own sake.

We can do with more GRACE in our leadership. Senator Obama has it in spades, which is why politicos and the for-profit PRESS don't know how to quantify and qualify his talents and value at this moment in time.

Americans know it when we see it -- and we are hungry for it across the entire spectrum of modern life many elites have perverted.

[Mdazes]

It was close. Obama came up short on the econmy debate because he allowed McCain to make it about taxes and earmarks and Obama said McCain was right too many times. McCain won slightly on foreign policy if the election is about experience and staying on the same path. If the Election is about moving forward than Obama won slightly.

[romanrose]

Disgusted48 has hit each of the nails in question square on their heads. This blog is a perfect explanation of why Obama didn't deliver the "knock-out punch". The facts clearly speak for themselves and he's really got a very tight rope to walk. I'm proud of him, once again, for taking the high road and being a calm, cool class act. Also, I think that ultimately McCain and Palin who keep tripping up completely unassisted will continue to do so and will do themselves in, in the end. That's what I believe and what I pray will happen. Thank you, Disgusted48, for a perfectly written and concise blog.

[60thStreet]

I hate to break it to you Nora, but just because Obama is not a vicious attack dog does not mean he lost, and the more he stays cool, the more he proves people who need to see this from the Democratic side wrong. And millions saw exactly what I saw. Someone cool under pressure, completely aware that his opponent was bristling with contempt.

Obama knows the score exactly and had McCain, the supposed elder statesman, flustered and angry the entire night. Obama engaged McCain directly and McCain could not so much as look anywhere in his direction, much less in the eye.

Obama has two debates left and there is not reason for him to come out throwing chairs on day 1.

[disgusted48]

Another factor comes into play with any debate and often determines the win or loss. That factor is whether the debator has the better argument based on the issues and facts and evidence of the case. Even if you miss a few opportunities to nail your opponent, the fact that you have a stronger case to make will take you a long way. Need we say it again, george bush has been an utter failure, and with the help of the republican congress have brought this country to its knees. mccain promises more of the same.

In addition, with regard to delivery, Obama has to walk a very tight rope. He can't appear patronizing, demeaning, mocking, elitist, over confident, mean, or angry, while still being agressive and on point.
Remember Gore being attacked on form and Kerry on delivery. Their debate performances affected the outcome of the election, along with other events of course.

That being said, Obama did a great job.

[JestMe]

Stand by for the next salvo. That was only the first shot of three. Obama was very strong and will be a dynamo in the next two rounds. McCain is a jerk and acted like a smug jerk. Jerks cannot and must not run the country any longer. Been there-done that for the last 8 years.

[hollyo]

We're just WORRIED the dishonest right wing 'lie' machine will steal from us again.
Obama doesn't react the way they want...we'­ll understand when all the debates show
him to be a REAL CHANGE by his very different behavior. He was a smart, savvy, gentleman.
(reminds me of the Kennedy debates...­the medium is the message.)

[viper234]

I have no idea how anyone could see this debate as a "win" for McCain. He fell to pieces on foreign policy, particularly when Obama slammed him on the Surge. Obama could've knocked him out completely if he'd called McSurge out on his lousy record when it comes to taking care of our veterans. As soon as McSurge saw Obama going in that direction, all McSurge could say was, "The veterans know I love them and that I will take care of them." Oh yeah? Check your voting record senator Surge, you've left our veterans out in the cold including my sister and brother-in-law.

[lola85]

By the way, viper234, I think that was one of the WEIRDEST MOMENTS OF THE DEBATE. When McCain said "Veterans know I love them and will take care of them." It felt, strange and weirdly disconnected and a little crazy. I know McCain is a veteran, I know. I am not attacking his service. That moment to me and my husband seemed disingenuous, disconnected and really kind of creepy.

Obama/Biden '08
Keep HOPE alive

[bennofs]

"...Obama miss opportunity after opportunity to score a knockout punch -- as the men in the room tended to put it..."
I would love it if all journalist, tv talkers and even the general public would cease using sports metaphors in their speech and writing.
To equate governance with game is a terrible mindset to have. It is just too important to be trivialized in this way.
btw, I hate all professional sports and couldn't or wouldn't be able to tell you the first thing about any of them - except if they had four legs and ran a quarter mile around an oblong, dirt track.

[tchristin]

thank you so much for saying that bennofs. Knock-out punch, home run, hail mary passes and throwing long.. I'm so sick of it.

Obama was more in control and more Presidential. McCain looked like an angry old man who was trying to relive his glory days. .. truly pathetic to watch. He was rude and condescending. And he was WRONG...

[MarciL]

I don't know what debate you were watching, Nora, but it must not have been the same one I did. In the debate I saw, Obama was clearly the winner. He was the only one who appearred classy, intelligent, and presidential.

[GabrielXL]

I guess we shouldn't fault her for having an opinion. People interpret the world however they wish in spite of any evidence to the contrary. I've pretty much stopped paying attention to pundits, especially since Chris Matthews asked an absolutely appalling question about Obama that I won't dignify by repeating. But hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion and you know what they say about opinions..­. Right? ;^)

At the end of the day, no matter what anyone says, the truth will be told on November 5th.

[Angelus2007]

I don't think we really know who won. Who makes a better ad with the sound bites. If McCain makes an ad or 2 that amplify some of the things about Obama he will win, and the same can be said about Obama if he makes a good ad.

If we keep seeing Obama looking at his wrist for the name of a soldier who died, whose mother gave him a bracelet, telling him not to let it happen to other young men like her son, and see Obama struggling for the name, that isn't good.

I cringed when I saw that. McCain give a great story (like McCain or not, he can give a very good narrative and draw you in to his story) about the mother wanting her son not to have died in vain, than Obama came back with "Well I got a bracelet too". First off, that sounded like a kid trying to keep up with his friend, it was like Obama was trying to one-up him. Then instead of spinning a narrative to draw us in, he just tells us about it, but forgets the name and has to look at the bracelet to do so. I though he would be torn apart for that, but he wasn't. But he isn't out of the woods yet, I think we will see some anti-Obama debate ads Tue or Wed when the bailout vote is done.

[bennofs]

But it's the same narrative over and over. Don't you just get bored and doesn't become meaningless after hearing it repeated endlessly.

[Passenger57]

The whole bracelet thing wasn't a "one-up", as far as I'm concerned. McCain's bracelet said, "Let's win in Iraq" and Obama's said, "Let's get the hell out of Iraq".Did you miss when Obama explained about his bracelet?
Say,uh - what happened, McCain? You said you weren't going to the debate until the bailout plan was a done deal-it wasn;t at debate time,but there you were there anyway. You also said that you were going to suspend your campaign,but you didn't. And you told your VP Palin - who's supposed to "absolutely" be qualified for VP or P - to go to Philly,pig out, and stay clammed up.
Geez, he's breaking promises already!

[stagebandman]

The shame of McCain's story, though, is that woman's son did die in vain, in a country we should never have invaded, in a war that should never have been waged, from a country that has betrayed not only him and his family, but the entire military establishment. Obama was on point, and made it well. That was the difference.

[ajr08]

Obama didn't struggle for the name. If you read the transcript it is very clear.

From the International Herald Tribune:

OBAMA: Jim, let me just make a point. I've got a bracelet, too, from Sergeant - from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopeck (ph), given to me ingrain bin green bay. She asked me, can you please make sure another mother is not going through what I'm going through.

----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­---------

Clearly the intent was to say the bracelet was given to him by the Sergeant's mother, and not by the Sergeant himself. He corrected himself and looked down at the bracelet which wasn't clearly visible to the viewer. That shouldn't held that against him. I don't think it was his intention to bring it up, but was offered as a counterpoint to the view of McCain and the mother of Mathew Stanley.

[stanschurman]

I feared the same thing and was pleasantly surprised when the pundits on CNN and on PBS pretty much gave it to Obama. Even the immediate polls gave it pretty decisively to Obama. I had thought McCain might be given the nod because he was expected to maybe fall on his face and didn't. What he did do is come across as a grumpy, spoiled, bitter old man.

I should have expected Obama to get the nod just from having watched CNN's realtime audience reaction graph. I first thought of it as just another gimmick, but it became more and more interesting as the debate wore on. The line to watch was that of the undecided. They clearly were more favorably aroused by Obama's remarks than by McCain's. Interestingly, even the Republican's red line often remained relatively flat when McCain was speaking.

Now, if only Obama can refrain from deferring to McCain during the next two debates. McCain was downright nasty and petulant on Friday night and any acknowledgements of his performance from Obama are wasted and unappreciated. Did anybody catch Barack going up to McCain after the debate and saying "good job John"? McCain barely acknowledged that Obama was there. You don't have to sink to his level Barack, but it's still time to take the gloves off and quit pandering to this lout's ego. And to Johnny Mack; enough with the "I'm a maverick. I'm a war hero. I'm not Miss Congeniality" crap. It really is wearing thin.