Obama Underwhelms, McCain Patronizes
Well, for the first few minutes of the debate it was like watching a bad Dr. Phil show. "That was great -- now I want you to turn around and say what you just said, but now say it to him. Let him hear you."
It was well intentioned but goofy -- and the candidates sure didn't want to go there. Especially McCain, who by the end of the debate would not even dignify Obama with a look in his direction, or allow him to argue the misrepresentations of his views and statements that McCain kept tossing his way.
I keep trying to figure out why Obama -- who I so admire, seems to underwhelm in these debates. All I can come up with is that while everyone else aims up for these events -- they aim to score, to excite, to appeal -- Obama, who is so brilliant, has such understanding of the issues at play, such insight in how to re-shape where we are and how to proceed where we need to go... it seems like all his energy is spent pushing down: containing his thoughts. Suppressing the 20 sub-thoughts that follow each main thought. Speaking in measured tones lest he be perceived elitist or too academic. Keeping in check his healthy sense of the absurd -- like when he kept trying to get a word in with McCain plowing away - - actually saying , "John...? Uh John...? Like a guy who's lost the connection then just smiles and hangs up without re-dialing.
I hate to start sounding like all the blogs I read, but I have to say, I did want to see more fire. I did want him to let the anger loose. I did want him to slap back at McCain's endless patronizing tone. (I did like when Obama responded that he did indeed know the difference between a "tactic" and a "strategy" -- and even threw a pointed glance at McCain when he next used the word "strategy.")
But while I sure don't want to see him at this point be anything less than or different than who he is, I sure would like a little more fight. A little less patience. A bit less politeness. Did you see the moment when McCain tripped up pronouncing "Ahmadinejad?" Obama, nice guy that he is, offered a friendly elbow of support -- acknowledging, "that's a tough one," to comfort his colleague in a stumble. But it seemed like that ticked off McCain. Like he didn't hear what Obama said and thought he was busting his chops. He glared and repeated the already-corrected "Ahmadinejad" -- like "I already said it right!" It was a telling moment: Obama being the nice, considerate guy that he is, and somehow looking worse for it.
Was I disappointed by the debate? Yeah. But only because I know the fallout and spin that follows. Did it make me reconsider my vote? Of course not. Barack Obama continues to be an inspiring leader who seems to me to be exactly who this country -- and the world -- needs at this moment in history. If anything, tonight just reminded me that we may have to work a little harder to help him get there. But I am confident we can do that. As Senator McCain reminded us, the ingenuity and resilience of the American people is our greatest asset. Let's go use it.
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Agreed....on all points.....I want to see Barak dunk on the arrogant jerk....but....there is a time and a place for everything....and just like the primary...Obama is in the drivers seat and steady on course is the best tactic....or is it strategy? My advice, practice your breathing...
lol...
For those who are screaming for the knock-down, you may have to wait until the last debate... Let the poll numbers ease up another couple of points, and then there is no reason not the take the gloves off and bare knuckle the moth-balled fighter pilot from the previous millenium.
It's not a movie or a sitcom, Paul. Barack is screen-testing for the hardest, most serious job in the world. But it's been so long since we've had a genuine president, made of genuine presidential material, I can't blame you for forgetting what one looks like. We saw one last night. We saw the one last night.
Loved you in "Aliens."
Obama gave all the fire he needed when he looked McCain dead in his eyes at the start of the debate during the handshake. Obama had the look of a fierce competitor. No wonder McCain was scared to look back at Obama again!
We keep wanting Obama to show more fire. But he is who he is....and it works.
Paul,
If you look at the debate focus group comprised of independents and moderates held by Republican strategist Frank Luntz on Fox News of all places...every time McCain acted angry his numbers went way down. When Obama focused on the middle-class and issues, his numbers even among Republicans went up. Did you notice that McCain did not mention the middle-class once?
McCain came off as an unstable rude short-tempered grouchy old man. He wouldn't even look at Obama. With the nervous atmosphere in this nation, someone like that is not the person you want leading you. I want someone who is calm cool and collected; someone who I am reassured will not fly off the handle and do something stupid. Stupid, as in 'suspending' your campaign for two days, inserting yourself into meetings you have no place at and refusing to debate. McCain was shamed into this debate, he was pissed off about it and it showed.
Hi Mr. Riser,
I watched "Aliens" last week on Encore. I bet your character, Carter Burke, would vote for McCain, just to save a percentage on taxes from smuggling aliens back to Earth.
If you want a better debate, all you have to do is change the podiums so that both are looking directly at each other when they converse. Position the camera's correctly and it will draw out and capture their essential body language.
Those producers of that debate had better camera angles for that damn host than they did of the candidates.
Do you think McSmirk would have did those fly-by facial smears had he been looking straight on at Obama or had there been no audience at all?
The only good thing about that debate was that the AUDIENCE WAS GAGGED. There is no need for an audience, they are a distraction. Let them take on each other and deliver the facts.
I'm no fan of the Republicans. The Democrats were the ones fighting to deregulat Fannie Mae though.
Christopher Dodd himself, the representative who received the most money from them, was fighting the Republicans attempt to regulate Fannie Mae.
In 2005, when Mike Oxley brought up the reform bill, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae lobbyists went crazy, and paid mostly democrats.
"As recently as last summer, when housing prices had clearly peaked and the mortgage market had started to seize up, Dodd called on Bush to "immediately reconsider his ill-advised" reform proposals. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said that the president's suggestion for a strong, independent regulator of Fannie and Freddie was "inane."" - http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentaryhubbard0914.artsep14,0,5673162.story
It doesn't really matter though, trying to figure out who was most responsible or lying the most. They are too similar to compare. That's just one reason we need to let the other candidates into the debates. The arguement that we can't just let anybody debate is not relevant. There are only 6 candidates that made it this far and are on enough electoral state ballots to win the nation. They deserve to at least represent their people in the debates, if we want any kind of change.
I understand some people's disappointment, but should Obama stoop to the other side's level? There is something very positive about Obama's calm. What would happen to him if he looked and sounded as outraged as we feel? I am not sure, but I doubt he would be seen as authentic. Sometimes, when people are really smart, they are kind to others. Quite honestlly, It is usually the mediocre who feel the need to shout and to rip others apart.
You don't want Obama to be different than he is, but you want him to be different than he is. Who would you like him to be?
Obama did just fine by me. Intelligent, broad in perspective, thoughtful, firm grasp of the issues. I don't want passion. But not everyone uses my criteria, and I'm afraid the crowd that votes on emotion might decide the outcome. Well, McCain can't be worse than George Bush, can he?
why do the other candidates not get invited to the debates?? there are more than 2 choices. if you're not happy, and there's no real difference between the major parties, check into libertatians, greens, or nader- whatever suits you best. that's how we're going to get government thta's more responsive to what we want.
I guess they need a certain percentage of the popular vote for a new party; these two parties have outlived their usefulness. There is a debate tommorow for all the other candidates.
Obama is right to be who he is, and not try to front. I also believe a president needs to keep his cool...Did you JFK flailing, and snorting to defend his positions. Speak softly and carry a big stick is the smarter tact...It also sends a message to youth at how to handle yourself when you disagree or are slighted...We've seen the same demeanor by all of Obama's surrogates, advisors and staff; and I think no one would argue that they haven't run a smooth, efficient and strategic campaign.
Obama's calm, but strong prescence is exactly what America needs...
I agree that McCain should've had THE STUFFING BEAT OUT OF HIM by Obama.
Over and over and over again. McCain deserves that.
We're fed up with SMIRKING & DISRESPECTFUL, FRAT-BRAT REPUBLICANS.
8 years is enough of THAT.
We cannot afford any more REPUBLICAN LIARS, THIEVES billing the diminishing Middle Class Americans.
We can't afford Republicans any more!
NO MORE YEARS for Republican CORRUPTION, DECEPTION, DEREGULATION and ENRICHING THEIR NANNY STATE FOR THE RICH and their corporate welfare queens.
Enough already.
my vote's for common sense, reason, responsibility, Obama-Biden.
Where was Sarah Palin last night? She's the only Vice President to be kept in a secret location BEFORE they've been elected.
She was up in Alaska making sure old Putin wasn't invading American Airspace.........the distance between her ears.
The only thing is that the peace and limited government candidates are censored out of the debates. McCain and Obama have to play it safe. They are too alike to really call each other out too hard on anything. McCain's advisors were the Fannie Mae lobbyists giving money to the Democrats. The Democrats advisors were the CEOs paying the Lobbyists. It's too full circle. They jointly restrict the debates to where we should put more troops, even though we have 4 other constitutional options as a nation at this stage.
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