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.

--

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.

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

Comments

[pfc1369]

Every time I heard Barack say, "Senator McCain is absolutely right about that," I wanted to thrust my hand inside the box and thwack him one upside his head.

McCain must have said, "Senator Obama doesn't understand­..." a dozen times.

Barack, bubbala, the next couple of times out, don't be afraid to lay into that tired old vacuous hypocritical opportunist!

[wildflowermaven]

Obama was using a technique, ie agree w the opponent on some aspects of what he said (confirming he wasn't totally lying or off-base) but then show why he is wrong overall, which he did each time. Made him look respectful and smart. McCain by contrast blathered on, was snarky and rude. Which will the voters prefer? We'll find out Nov. 4th

[pfc1369]

We're talking about American voters here, not Oxford debaters.

If you plan to win, don't forget the sledgehammer. You can leave the rapier at home.

[UrbanRube]

I share your gut reaction to that, pfc1369 . But the feeling is almost immediately followed by the thought, "Know what they'd call that in another day and age? Evidence of good breeding." Obama is being gentlemanly and, ideally, showing independent voters that he could actually help us move beyond the ugly, self-defeating partisanship that's become so all-pervasive. I repeat, showing us, instead of making empty promises about reaching across the aisle.

[astrosky7]

You guys have got to be kidding. You know as well as I do that Obama could have been stronger. What the heck happened to him? He froze up like a snow cone. This is all he had to throw at McCain? If he plans on winning this thing then he needs to be a little more forceful on the issues at hand. I wish all you guys would stop saying he won, and he did super, because he did not. I was under the impression that he was going into this debate and put McCain through the shredder, well he didn't. If you support him then give him some real advice, and quit making him belive he did super.

[Aftamath]

I agree with you completely. McCain made Obama look like an inexperience child during the debate last night. Everyone thinks that McCain was throwing all of the POW stuff, in addition to his years in the senate out there because he wants to milk it for all its worth, but he was really just trying to show everyone that he IS ready to be the leader of this country, and that Obama, simply, is not. He doesn't have the experience to be able to make the kind of decisions that he has been claiming he will make if elected. He simply doesn't understand that you can't walk into the white house and start making drastic changes.

The only reason that anyone would suggest that Obama actually won the debate would be because they are biased and don't want to admit the finer points that McCain had to make. It doesn't matter how good McCain does, or how bad Obama does, they will still never admit that McCain held his own against the "articulate messiah" that is Barak Hussein Obama.

[blueshawke]

And what was McCain's first executive decision?

Sarah Palin.

No debate can ever show that John IS ready for the White House. This glaringly bad decision outweighs anything he can ever SAY.

I'm afraid the Senator from Arizona is ready for a retirement where he can record bad covers of Beach Boys and Abba songs.

[ruscle]

"It is clear that John McCain is well traveled outside of the United States and has a vast understanding of foreign affairs...­"

I don't think that is quite right. Yes, McCain is well traveled outside the US. But he doesn't have a vast understanding of foreign affairs... any more than he has a vast understanding of American affairs (and look how long he's been here in the US.)

The reason -- John McCain doesn't pay attention. He doesn't learn. McCain never mentioned the middle class in this debate. It is like the middle class doesn't even exist to him. And for all I can see of him -- 8+ homes, $500 shoes, 13 cars, millionaire status -- we really don't exist to him.

Palin sees Russia from the shores of Alaska and thinks that makes her an expert.

McCain is chauffeured between his multi-million dollar estates and FAILS to even see American, let alone have the understanding to lead us.

[Wilburrr]

I'd be willing to bet that Palin has never been to the one island at the end of the Alutians from which you can see the one island owned by Russia.

[simkmer]

Thanks for your article, I thought it right on.
Smart leveled headed Government is what we need.
Obama/Biden 08

[saltysea]

Agree. i, too, was dumbfounded when i raced up to someone i had met at the debate party, praising Obama's win--first 2 peeps i talked to thought it was a tie. go figure.

[vfx]

McSame's answers on the economy were obtuse.

Next time let's here Barack say, “John, While I agree that Earmarks need to be reined in, you seem confused. The bailout of private businesses like the savings and loans, Fannie and Freddie, the Insurance giants and Wall Street has nothing to do with earmarks. They are simply two different things.”

[pb28]

It seems to me that McCain is running his campaign like he is running for the senate again. He is micro focused on ideas and plans that a senator needs to focused on; earmarks etc. McCain offers no clear vision on the bigger picture and finer point aspects a President must deal with. McCain cant walk and chew gum at the same time. That was completely evident this week when he employed the political stunt of suspending his campaign. Our next President must be able to juggle many things at once

Obama has and a vision and a plan to deal with the financial crisis, healthcare, taxes, education, two wars we a fighting and getting America back on its feet. All McCain offers is earmark reform and spending cuts which is the same played out standard answer crap we have been hearing for years. McCain's cure for an open bleeding wound is a band-aid when major surgery needs to be performed

[Lil-Vette]

I totally agree with Sheryl. I think Obama stood firm and sound minded on the issues that needed to be addressed. He knows that it is not going to be easy cleaning up this Republican mess. We did'nt get into this mess overnight and its going to take a sound-minded President that knows what middle-classed people are going through everyday to get us out of it. Obama looked like the PRESIDENT!!!

Obama/Biden '08

[nancytheragingliberal]

Cheryl, Not only are you the best of the best in terms of your musical abilities, but you are a kind, intelligent person, regarding our current political status. I agree with your comments, and think that McCain is an angry man, living in the past. He is a warmonger in the first degree, and will send our children off to die, when they turn 18. How? By re-instituting the Draft. No Way, No How, No Palin-McCain in our WH.

[customgreen]

I read a whole slew of reports. In general the right leaning pundits seemed to give McCain a slight edge. The left leaning pundits did the same for Obama. I think where it counted are the so called center people. The ones who try to not be viewed as one side or the other. From what I read they seemed to think that Obama was more knowledgable, and certainly more Presidentail in appearence. The silly comments about McCain somehow having more in common with the middle class is stupid at best. The man is so far removed from the middle class it is pathetic. He doesn't speak middle class, he recites middle class. Big difference.

[hollandjwm]

First up, I LOVE Sheryl Crow, and am so happy that she is such a big Obama supporter. Second, I think that your analysis was fair. Obama came off far better than I think the Republicans were hoping he would. McCain repeatedly tried to get Barack on the ropes, and Obama came back hard every time. About the experience issue, I've said it before and I'll say it again; it is IMPOSSIBLE to have Presidential experience unless you have been a President before. Everything else is just a lead-up.

[BritPatJax]

Obama has to be passive. To come over as an angry balck man would lose him the vote. You will see the better side of his strength when he is elected. That is the shame of the phony side of modern America. You dare not be yourself. Even so he has to overcome the dinasaurs of the southern states who still have the 'n' word etched in their vocabulary. Hopefully they will stay at home this time.

[Hajji]

Sheryl,

Opinions and observations on politics from entertainers and artists are routinely phoo'd, especially by those who think such should be the exclusive playground of those who make a living at it.

I'm reminded of the day, years ago, when one nurse in my ER actually said, (regarding Natalie Maine's Bush comments) "What gives HER the right to blah, blah..."?

It is fun to remind people of the 1st Amendment.­..

Please continue to use your (literally and figuratively) amplified voice to speak for us who have ours drowned out by the rich and powerful.

And never allow it to be silenced, it is too beautiful an instrument to leave leaning in the corner.

-T

[OutsourcedAgain]

Here here! I second that motion! Just because someone is famous doesn't mean they don't have a stake in this. It's their country too. Keep speaking your mind.

[justobserve]

Your analysis is succint and in-depth. When McCain boasted of his travel the world to prove he knew more than Obama and Obama reminded him of his judgment before the Iraq war, I think of the fact that, with knowledge, curiosity for more, good judgment, we landed on the Moon right on the spot without ever visit it before. Of course if a person who never travels outside and incurious about the world around her then her knowledge is very limited indeed.
McCAIN-PALIN: COUNTRY LAST, RECKLESS JUDGMENT, BIGOTRY, LIES, SECRECY, CRONYISM. Vote for OBAMA-BIDEN: INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE, GOOD JUDGMENT, BY PEOPLE & FOR PEOPLE.

[voidware]

I guess if facts and details and real experience don't matter much,
gee, that Obama sure looked Presidential.

I'd love to be at that Sheryl Crow debate party.

God forbid anyone was even slightly objective about the performances.

This debate was like Keith Richards vs. Sheryl Crow and I say that as an admirer of her material.

Sure she's still pretty in her forties, and has a couple grammys, but c'mon.

Isn't this the same woman who wanted us to use less toilet paper to save the earth?

Obviously, you're an Obama supporter.

[momof3inGA]

My Republican mother in law called last night. Never voted Democratic in her life.

After watching the debate, she's voting for Obama.

[challahatyourboy]

w00t!!!! Score one for our team!!!

[PoliJunkie]

Zing!!!

[HairFarmer]

excellent observations, Mc Cains game is all about disrespect, it was painfully apparent by his physically clenched demeanor that he doesn't like and doesn't respect Barack . I cannot imagine JMac doing the same crap as president ,and should he pass away ,that woman who also has no respect for those that are on the other side. It's ridiculous that both of them and even their predecessor Bush 43 had the same take it's my way or the highway , you're either with us or against us ... this is not what we need in the USA now not more of the I know what I'm doing so get lost attitude that was evident last night.. there is one thing that bothered me (actually 2) Barack Never hammered JMac about being at the center of the storm during the last financial meltdown as a member of the Keating 5, and didn't hit him with his veterans bills voting record whic is abysmal other than that good show Barack Obama