Put McCain Out of His Misery

At first, Senator McCain seemed to be resentfully respectful toward the probably presidential Obama; I think McCain must have heard from the same Republican operative who said to me that in this third debate, McCain had to come across as "presidential too" -- as Obama already did in the earlier debates and in his reaction to the financial crisis. This reflects a stunning role reversal during the past month, and the dimensions of the challenge that faced McCain tonight. He had to be in command, steady and reassuring, but his partisans were urging all-out war on Obama's character. When he takes that course, and he soon did, the polls show that voters turn away. They worry a lot more right now about paying their bills than about some guy named Bill Ayres. (But that would come from McCain -- because that's all he's got. .) And McCain had to know Obama would be ready, not just to answer and dismiss the attacks, but to cite them as proof that McCain can't deal with real concerns like the economy. And he can't: he just keeps repeating his tired falsehood about Obama raising taxes on most Americans and the middle class, when in fact he cuts them and Obama wins the exchange hands down.

And oh God here comes earmarks again. McCain sounded like a wind up toy -- and Obama readily turned his metronomic attacks aside.. The beleagured heir to Bush couldn't convincingly separate himself from Bush economics. Instead the differences he cited were torture and climate change. And he violated the first rule of debate -- don't issue a challenge the other guy can meet. Obama deftly cited a range of disagreements with his own party.

McCain also sounded like an aggrieved coot who thinks this campaign is all about him. Obama nailed him cold when he reminded his opponent that it's not about the hurt the candidates may feel, but the economic hurt inflicted on the American people.

Halfway through McCain's hate emerged. He defended the extremists at his rallies. He babbled about Bill Ayers and vindicated Obama's suggestion that Ayers is the centerpiece of his campaign -- which reinforced the charge that his own aides say he can't compete on the economy. It was an ugly interlude.

It was matched by the absurdity of his incoherent defense of Sarah Palin as a plausible vice president. One of her qualifications apparently is that Todd Palin is some tough guy. And Sarah, well now that Americans have some sense of her, she has some tough poll ratings.

No one could have coached McCain to be this bad. His criticism of Obama on trade: bye, bye Ohio. His decision to talk about how he repeals the tax deduction for health coverage: McCain got squashed again. " Senator Obama voted against Justice Breyer": it was in 1994 and Obama wasn't even in the Illinois State Senate, let alone the US Senate.. And if he thinks this election is about school vochers, he really is a nitwit.

When it isn't sad, it's sinister. McCain isn't a candidate anymore, but a negative research dump-- a heedless purveyors of distortion and untruth, a man who started off running on his experince, but ends up now as a right-wing caricature stumbling toward defeat with dishonor.

For McCain, the urgent need tonight was not for McCarthyism on Ayers or ACORN ( this one will not grow into a mighty campaign oak), but for sounding empathetic, informed and authoritative on the economy -- a daunting objective for someone who unforgettably, irretrievably said he doesn't know much about economics and the "fundamentals" are sound anyway. And when he did venture a half-understood point on this issue, was fighting on what is now decidedly Obama's ground. His latest, rushed policy re-invention came just a day before the debate and with a glaring credibility gap; McCain's own staff previewed the plan as a politically driven maneuver to appeal to senior citizen in battleground states.s.

McCain had to be presidential but wasn't, maybe because he knows that's now catch-up ball for him, not a game changer.

So his real choice in the final debate -- as in the final weeks -- is between defeat with honor, or a desperate and debased resort to untrue and irrelevant attacks that will leave him both defeated and dishonored.

This performance was embarrassing. Put McCain out of his misery -- hold the election now.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[wherriott2]

Excellent piece Bob!

[PT6]

Robert,

McCain is NO BUSH! McCain is a GAMBLER and PROUD OF IT!

He wants to Give Banks Full Face Value on Bad Loans!

This would MAXIMIZE CORPORATE PROFITS at the cost of the TAXPAYER!

McCain is NO BUSH!

He is BUSH "DOUBLED DOWN"!

[shamiso]

What do you expect from bottom of grade? Republicans hae been exposed by their former own.
Thanks Powell for your sharp eyes that saw beyond the Obama's vision. Obama/Biden 08.

[AlltheBuzzfromCali]

I personally would be happy to have McCain's hand on the button! Let's hope the nurse responds in a timely manner.

[caterpol]

In a nutshell, McCain's only true challenge last night was to be likable.

From all the polls I've read previous to the 3rd debate, if you can believe polls, his creds aren't the problem, it's his personality. Nobody likes him anymore. He's cranky and he's mean. And compared to a very gracious and respectful Obama, he seems really cranky and really mean. Why aren't his handlers telling him this?

It's not what you say at this point, as much as it is how you say it.

[LHoney]

I couldn't agree more. I am still in pain after hearing James Carville (of all people) describe J Mc as an honorable man... What????

[C-Bob]

I find silly (and depressing) McCain's childish "I had to go negative because Obama wouldn't let me set the debate format!" Sounds like "Gee, teach, I had to pound him because he wouldn't give me his milk money!"

[BettyG]

Right, he actually stated again that the reason his campaign is so negative, and people at rallies are shouting "traitor" and "kill him" is because Obama wouldn't agree to meet him at cuddly town hall debates, where everything would be just fine.

[noneIn2008]

Let's start talking about holding Obama accountable for delivery of results. We already start to hear the excuses of "its Bushes fault". Will we get 4 years of excuses, not results.
Let's see the 100 day Obama plan to get us out of the many neocon disasters. Not the excuses as to why we are not making progress.
The 2006 elections left a bad taste about results vs promises. Pelosi and Reid made promises and delivered nothing. The Dems controlled Congress and delivered nothing but excuses.
Now with the Presidency will we get results or more excuses. Let's hold them accountable for results.

[mmerose]

I agree, noneIn - even though I have come to understand the procedural excuses, including the routine Republican filibusters, I still am outraged that Pelosi and Reid didn't try harder. And the sad, but predictable, outcome is, the Republicans are still hammering away at how the whole catastrophe is the Democrats' fault because they've been "in control" for TWO WHOLE YEARS! So what durn good did it do to keep smilin' along instead of at least making a big stink? I expect Pelosi and Reid to be dead weight dragging on any really strong initiative Obama tries to get going.

[sedum]

Your enthusiasm is a trifle underwhelming.

So. Some advise.

Put a smile on your face and a melody in your heart.

Mere weeks to a new world.

It may not even be your wish but it's gonna happen.

ObamaBiden

[bayside]

I agree with you nonein.. If Obama really wants change he wont keep the same old peloski and reid in charge. You cant keep doing the same thing and expect different results.. Many times I have asked whos side are they are, ..If he wants change give us change in leadership..

[Gronkie]

Republicans are always whining about personal responsibility but the Bush administration went to the "It's all Clinton's fault" well for years. When Katrina hit they had a hard time blaming their remarkable incompetence on Clinton. At that point it started to look silly and childish. The fact is, much of what is wrong with this country IS Bush's fault - Clinton left things in pretty good shape. Face it, the next president's (Obama) job is to mop up the Bush administration's many messes. Pointing this out won't be avoiding responsibility, it will be stating fact.

[MrBigDog2U]

Assuming that he loses on November 4, McCain will be up for re-election to his Senate seat in 2010. It will be interesting to see if he's become so badly damaged during this election season if he can win again.

Of course, one could wonder if he'll even try.

[mamala4]

I really believe he is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers. No joke...

[jcorrington]

Good one, Bob - I always enjoy your articles and seeing you on MSNBC.

[Clavis]

Yeah, what the hell *was* McCain thinking when he accused Obama of "voting against Breyer"?

[jchflorida]

Since the last half hour of the 1st debate Obama has had his opponent measured and seemed confidant and at ease . America looks at Mccain with his bug eyed grimace and shudders . Its all about the size of the mandate now ....pour it on .

[Wupazz]

What a great night last night. My Phillies are going to the series and obama opened up a can of wupazz on Mcsame. I havent had that great of a night in a while.

[Hockymom]

I agree 100%. McCain should have not come out swinging with anger but with grace and honor. He would have gained points just by being focused on real issues but he didn’t. Just like in his condescending first debate he acted like an angry bully. His last big show could have made a difference if he would have just acted liked he truly cared about the American people and not himself. McCain to actually state his feeling were hurt was a big joke. A man that spent years in a POW camp getting tortured I am sure has thicker skin than this, and nobody cares about his feelings anyway.

[Annemariefay]

What impressed me most about Obama's performance was his restraint in attacking McCain on the obvious, ie, in 1994 I didn't have the option to vote or not vote for Justice Breyer... or, on the business of standing up to my own party, I was one of the few who voted against the authorization to invade Iraq.
Obama didn't let himself get put on the defensive except when he absolutely had to. It was an amazing
display of exercise of political judgement and character. Senator McCain really has no one and nothing else to blame now but his own hot-headed character: impulsive without being thoughtful; assertive without being forward-thinking. Not once did Obama point out what we all know, even when the moderator asked him if the other candidate's choice of running mate was prepared to be president. All McCain could do was defend her by saying "I'm proud of her, I'm proud of her." And what was that business about "her husband Todd is a tough guy"? At this point McCain is just sad to watch. I take no pleasure at all in watching someone torch the remains of his honor. As for him not mentioning Rev. Wright last night, I would not be surprised if new commercials about Rev. Wright start pouring out of his campaign in the next few weeks. McCain has made a decision: not to finish his career with grace, but to fight dirty and desperate to the very end.

[LHoney]

I've been waiting all this time for Obama to mention the GI bill! McSame has gotten almost a free ride here and he can't come close... That's a loser!