Tonight's Presidential Debate: Victory for Obama, More of the Same from McCain
by musician, and I emphasize "musician," and not political expert, Sheryl Crow
I am not exactly sure how to begin this blog.
I am still slightly dumbfounded by what I feel was an out and out victory for Senator Obama. Anyone who knows me knows I am an Obama supporter but knowing I would be blogging for the Huffington Post tonight, I tried to watch this debate with complete objectivity. However, if I were to grade this debate on clarity, leadership qualities, values, a vast understanding of foreign affairs, I would have to give Senator Obama a far higher grade. I think I feel the same as most Americans when I say I am beyond tired of hearing John McCain sell this war and passing it off as great leadership. Even on the issue of Russia, McCain tried to paint Obama as being unknowledgeable on foreign issues. It is clear that John McCain is well traveled outside of the United States and has a vast understanding of foreign affairs, however, Obama did not give an inch.
On every question, I felt Senator Obama answered with clarity and thoughtfulness. I felt Senator McCain gave us a lot of his stump quotes when talking about the war and the failing economy. Quotes like, "I'm not known as Miss Congeniality," and the two letters Eisenhower wrote illustrating accountability, his reminding us that he is known as the "Maverick."
Obama clearly illustrated his in-depth understanding of foreign affairs. While McCain has an immense amount of experience in the military, there was never a moment that I perceived him as a levelheaded peacekeeper but instead looked like the same kind of defensive leader we've had for the last eight years. While Obama was talking about Afghanistan, Senator McCain was still selling the surge and the idea of "winning the war," a war that no one feels can be won. John McCain's entire message revolved around Iraq. He seemed to be in complete denial that our country is in a much less secure status than before 9/11, when it is clear that we have thrown a rock into a beehive.
I never once heard John McCain mention our failing educational system. He kept his mantra that Obama does not understand, which I felt only showed that he simply doesn't understand. McCain tried to wrap up the debate with simply saying Obama doesn't have the experience that he has or what it takes to lead this country. At which point McCain talked about how we cannot have another leader who is not flexible; he completely disqualified himself. It was a cry of desperation from a man who has been historically linked to the failing policies of George W. Bush.
I think while both candidates successfully argued their positions on sitting down with leaders of rogue nations, I felt that Obama proved his point that the policies of the past have not served us. McCain seemed to promise more of the same, which continued to illustrate his "stubbornness and inflexibility," which were the words he later warned the nation about in choosing Barack Obama as president. To me, McCain proved himself as the stubborn one. It felt like he was simply stuck in the past.
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As an aside, I had a debate party tonight and these are the quotes I took down after the debate:
On McCain: "repetitive," "stuck," "defensive," "loopy and non-linear," "completely defeated," "snarky...we cannot have another condescending leader," "confused," "McCain doesn't listen, Obama does"
On Obama: "constructively critical," "thinks on his feet," "how nice to hear someone answer a question and not just keep going back to the stump"
All agreed that the final stage of this campaign should be that each candidate should have to debate Bono.
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Is it just me, or does anyone else find McCain's constant referral to himself as a "Maverick" and then smiling that phony campaign smile of his, just a tad bit annoying and reminiscent of Bush referring to himself as the "Decider"?
McCain at this point is "playing a part" while Obama is living in the moment. McCain's shtick isn't working anymore and neither is the Sara Palin "effect". The VP debate this week is gonna be fun with a capital F.
I stand by my prediction that Obama is going to win by a landslide in November...despite how "close" the mainstream media polls say the race is right now.
After 2000 and 2004 however....I am not going to celebrate until it's over. At least this time if there is a ballot controversy, I am confident that the Democrats will NEVER concede and will fight until bloodied and victorious.
McCain's "immense amount of experience in the military" is about as helpful to our country at this point in time as a rebellious teenager with a box of fireworks. John McCain is now and always has been a bellicose BRAT. This "maverick" stuff is bullshit; "delinquent" is a more fitting description for him -- he just wants to do what he wants to do, regardless of the consequences ... which makes him all the more dangerous.
In stark contrast, Obama, with no direct experience in the military, nonetheless has the wisdom, self-confidence, and discernment to LISTEN to military experts -- along with economists, educators, religious leaders, foreign leaders, and even average Americans -- learn from them, and make thoughtful, well-informed, and rational decisions. Neither McCain nor George W can say the same.
I'm slightly biased cuz I'm a U2 fan but I wholeheartedly agree that the two should debate Bono. Bono has shown that he will sit down with leaders of all stripes. I don't think he would show preference. Maybe it would be a sort of refiner's fire. Definitely an intriguing idea. But I doubt it will happen. In fact I would also say that Biden and Palin need to debate with him too. I would pay to see Bono debate any of these four and I'm dead broke right now!
I think your objectivity is far less suspect than that of John King of CNN. I don't know how many other people watched him call points for each side, but he seem to scrupulously maintain equal score between the two candidates. In fact, at one point, when his true feelings got the better of him, he gave Obama an edge, but then soon later, he deleted some of the points that he gave to Obama so that in the end he gave both McCain and Obama exactly the same score. John King is so clearly gunning for Wolf Blitzer's job it is kind of disgusting. I think he believes that by maintaining a neutral stance he can eventually replace Wolf who is clearly a Democrat. John, we all know is a Democrat. He could not hide that sycophantic shy smile at Ted Kennedy when he wished him well on Friday night and quickly tried to erase those emotions from his face.
John King is one small example of the widespread behavior among news correspondents where they hide their honest thoughts and attempt to remain "fair and balanced" in hopes of a promotion. It is this mechanism, that probably has the most to do with why the media as a whole has not reported the honest truth, which is that Obama CRUSHED McCain in the debate.
Thank you, Sheryl, for your comments, and for working so hard to protect our planet.
I agree with you Sheryl. John McCain is straddled with great difficulties in any debate about the US Economy when it comes to the state of affairs of our country. The Conservative rhetoric goes on despite continual tax bailouts that border on blackmail from failed republican policies. The republican jargon which always includes "tax and spend" democrats couldn't possibly be worse than a President who's spend and borrow policies have brought us ever closer to the "doomsday" scenario. The simple fact is that the failure to present realistic policies that benefit all Americans and require responsible action is most often met with no action. The "doomsday" scenario always requires an emergency bill, Presidential speech, and a reason to bailout banks and large corporations.
Obama does have more clarity and does make sense, therefore the tactics of fear and intimidation are the basic strategy for a McCain victory.
Message for Sheryl Crow;
I would say that wise People speak with Their Minds & Hearts most of the times that they either use Words or Actions too express Their Thoughts, Thank You for being so Wise.
We all have faults, however clarity comes when a Person/s sees past those faults and Themselves & Others alike.
Where do I come up with these Thoughts, WTF, Sorry!
I am so imperfect Myself, If I was to sum up My Life at this moment I would say "Leaf Blowing In The Wind".
Continued to MPCarr --In response to your post:
We have had a most conservative president and vice president that responded to the concerns of the American people with a resounding "SO" (Bush by action..Cheney by actual words combined with action). We have had a very conservative president and vice president that agreed to implement torture into our military strategy and water boading (the simulated drowning of a human being) who may or may not be guilty but just held under suspicion. We hada very conservative president and vice president that approved of arresting people without charging them with a crime and not allwing them access to a hearing to determine their guilt or innocence ...some for five years because we 'think' they are guilty without evidence. And, so you are afraid and scared of Obama??????
MPCarr --In response to your post:
"I know you are liberal, and Obama's ideas appeal to you--nationalized health care, negotiating with our enemies, etc. But there is a dark side to Obama when he worked with radical leftists like William Ayers in Chicago. While Obama comes to the center now, his inclinations lead to socialist-like, government control of many aspects of our life. They are scary to me. i don't see him just as the cool guy at the podium. I am very scared about what he has in mind once in office. He wasn't rated the most liberal in the senate for nothing."
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We have had eight years of division in this country. We have have a most conservative president and vice president that outright lied to the American people and deliberately got us into a war we had no business starting. We have had a most conservative president and vice president that benefited from the oil in Iraq...Halibut and Cheney. We have had a most conservative president that refused to give more help to the soldiers at a time when they were well aware of the fact that the soldiers were dying for lack of bullet proof vests and other necessary combat defenses..and yet the most conservative president refused to act until a whole year later.
About McCain's comment that Obama was like GWB I thought George Will said it best -That was a real howler.
Agreed.Thanks Sheryl. Your analysis is bang-on. Excellent article.
What I found most amusing was McCain's attempt to find his "sound bite" or his memorable Reagan line. He kept trying to bait Obama with "he doesn't seem to understand" but McCain couldn't deliver the line the way a great communicator would, so it come off as weak and condescending.
McCain grew more and more frustrated that Obama wouldn't step into his right hook; wouldn't take the bait. Each time McCain would throw the line, Obama would use a judo move of intelligence and judgment to deflect it off. McCain repeatedly attempted to score points with "the surge". But Obama wisely used that ploy to point out all the opportunities that the United States has missed out on. Missed opportunities to make progress both domestically and internationally as a result of Bush's blunder in Baghdad. The war that never should have been.
McCain tried to earn patriot points by displaying his bracelet honoring a fallen soldier; Obama said "I've got a bracelet too, from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopeck". She doesn't want any more mothers to have to go through what she has with the loss of a child from this stupid war. Obama scored more patriot points than McCain by honoring the brave sacrifice of U.S. soldiers and their families; and reminding us that McCain was willing to "muddle through" Afghanistan. A mistake which has allowed the real terrorists to reform and once again become a threat in Afghanistan and throughout the world.
Well said Sheryl. McCain talks about bipartisanship and flexibility all while he refuses to even look at his opponent and refuses to move on from this Iraq war! Anyone who has parents over the age of 68-70 years old know that flexibility is no longer in their DNA and that is why they should only be held responsible for thei own lives not the lives of others around them!
I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and the old whites of today are living the ideas of the 50's, when whites did not look a black person in the eye, this would signify that they were on the same level as a black person, (then called colored) which the black was always and still is with some whites, inferior.
The educated black is considered "uppity", the educated white is considered smart, intelligent and savy. Everyone keep talking about Obama needs to get tough (translation, nasty and loud). Unfortunately, black men has been stereotyped by the whites as ANGRY BLACK MEN, JUST LIKE FOX TAGGED MICHELLE AS A ANGRY BLACK WOMEN. Obama is smart, intelligent, level headed and deliberate. The onlything Obama needs to stop doing, is contantly saying is that he agrees with McCain on anything.
So many of the points you made were very close to what I and apparently millions of others were thinking throughout the debate last night.
I'd like to add to the thoughts on McCain you quoted from your debate party: 1) arrongant, 2)dismissive, 3) you're wrong, I'm right kind of partisan attitude and one of the most relevant being 4) the fact that he never looked at Obama.
We have had 8 VERY LONG years of this same attitude. If he can't look at someone with which he is at odds, how will he handle dealing with people in our country and others while he is president?
We must have a change in these tired, non-effective ways of dealing with people.
I've heard and read that there was a very obvious difference in both men last night, mostly by those for McCain thinking he was stronger and commanded the night. I will totally agree that there was a difference, a vastly refreshing ,intellectual, poised, and thoughtful one - in Obama.
Hey Sheryl, Love your new album!! McCain keeps touting his experience, it's that experience that scares the hell out of me. Wall Street CEO'S have experience John and they failed their investors.
With all due respect Sheryl, I think you are moved by Obama's eloquent speaking style which is different from the facts. Obama has zero experience on these issues in terms of holding office. His US Senate position has only really been used for running for president. When he was a Illinois state senator, he showed up, but really didn't not sponsor any legislation.
McCain is older, yes, but has a life of experiences both in the military and as a senator. So his answers come from a vast experience serving in the senate. When he talks about Russia or Kosovo or Afganistan, he has been there many times, and knows first hand what their needs are. When he talks about the financial crisis, he sponsored legislation in 2005 to reign in the mortgage lenders doomed to fail.
I know you are liberal, and Obama's ideas appeal to you--nationalized health care, negotiating with our enemies, etc. But there is a dark side to Obama when he worked with radical leftists like William Ayers in Chicago. While Obama comes to the center now, his inclinations lead to socialist-like, government control of many aspects of our life. They are scary to me. i don't see him just as the cool guy at the podium. I am very scared about what he has in mind once in office. He wasn't rated the most liberal in the senate for nothing.
You do know you"re nuts, right?
I can't help but wonder how scared you are of socializing the nation's financial system -- is it your position that we should socialize Wall Street but not take care of every child that needs to see a doctor?
McCain has experience -- but what judgement has he exercized in conjunction with that experience? When you say that Obama isn't factual I have to laugh -- and wonder if you've ever seen Politifact? Factcheck.org? There is a campaign in this election that hasn't been able to find the facts since before Sarah Palin said thanks but no thanks but decided to keep all the money.
With all due respect -- it appears that you're moved by something other than objectivity.
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