My most clear-headed assessment of the debate is that it was a draw. No major screwups by either man, no clear scores. Minds will not change. In the end, mostly the expected talking points, no new ground broken; the most specific questions were avoided by both.
In other words, generally a waste of time.
I do look forward to the VP debate, expecting hilarity and the dropping of jaws. I hope I won't be disappointed.
[Update: I could be wrong.]
It was a total disappointment to me. I tuned out.
ReplyDeleteI normally only read transcripts of speeches but felt I really *needed* to watch this debate. They both blew it, imho, by sidestepping the bailout questions. Barack did give a 1,2,3 of his priorities, but it went downhill from there.
After all of his hoopla about suspending his campaign due to the urgency of the financial situation, and he couldn't address it?! Shameful.
I'm not sure - I viewed it with an eye toward the undecided segment, and here's my take:
ReplyDeleteObama had a greater time of possession, but he allowed himself to be on the defensive for much too much of the time.
McCain freely lied, but so blatantly, that I think he was aiming his M16 at his foot and even swinging it at his own head from time to time.
Obama remained reasoned, even-tempered, articulated a vision - and called it a vision - as well as a plan.
However, he still uses Bush phraseology - the surge, axis of evil, the American people, etc, without pinning those terms on Bush.
McCain controlled his temper, but he sneered openly at Obama, and I think that looked rude and condescending. The only voters he was garnering, if any, are the Birchers and KKK/ white supremacists. That may backfire - I hope it backfires.
Obama needs to use a phrase which implies that he's "in the same group" as citizens. So "my fellow citizens, my fellow Americans, etc. is stronger since it is an inclusive phrase, and it also infers leadership (it's a sort of CEO corporate phraseology).
Most of all, he needs to call the ball and play assertive, marathon offense. He must control the subject, control the terms, dismiss McCain out of hand when he lies - but not spend time in detailed refutations, and generally, just own as much as he can. Grab market share, so to speak. When McCain rants about his length of Senate experience, Obama needs to pin his tail to the elephant and retort - "Your experience and 85% absent voting rate is exactly what got us into this mess. My sound judgment will get us out."
He looked presidential. He acted presidential, and I can't wait for the VP debate when Joe Biden can simply challenge Failin' Palin to name all of the countries which border Russia. She's get back to ya on that ;^} ....
What exactly did McCain lie about?
ReplyDeleteI think McCain clearly demonstrated his experience with foreign policy and experience does count. And the surge was a success and Obama has stated it was.
I think the debate was a draw and no one got a gotchya on the other. You may see Obama saying "Your Right or I agree with you" as a soundbite in an add though.
Dr. Sid, Couldn't agree more that the debate was a waste of time. In a macabre sense, I'm looking forward with great anticipation to the VP debate. I suspect it will put Saturday Night Live's skits to shame.
ReplyDeletePete: I'm not so sure. They have managed the rules so that there'll be no real back and forth, no followups. So if Sarah learns her lines well enough, and doesn't drool, she'll be a winner.
ReplyDeleteHow did they manage to change the rules on followups? Egads! Why bother calling it a debate?
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