Posted by
Cindy of TX on Friday, September 26, 2008 11:52:47 PM
I have a confession: I started getting a little bored about half-way through the first debate. Even still, there were some interesting points made. My favorite of the night was McCain's reference to the infamous Obama campaign pseudo-presidential seal, thus proving for all time and once-and-for-all that McCain does, indeed, have access to and interest in the blogosphere and the internet. Ta-da!!!!
Seriously, looking at the debate with the criteria outlined in my previous post, McCain did very well. He did not apologize for going to DC to participate in solving one of the most serious economic problems in our lifetimes (imagine having to apologize for going to work!) He was confidant. He fielded the expected questions regarding the economy, although I would have liked him to communicate more effectively that the differences between his plan and Obama's plan are the classic differences between a conservative view and a liberal view. (Do you think you or the government is better able to spend your money?) McCain consistently showed respect for his opponent by referring to him as "Senator Obama", while he was called simply "John" by Obama. I think that made Obama look even younger and more juvenile - and for a young man to use that level of familiarity with an elder was not favorable. McCain went on the offense many times, especially in regard to Iran, while Obama was left interrupting or trying to, glancing around, raising his finger to get attention, and generally appearing frustrated. McCain came off as a feisty statesman, while Obama came off like that smarty-pants honor student in the front row who you eventually just get tired of hearing from.
Lehrer's questions were straight-forward, so there was no need for McCain to challenge the questions themselves, only Obama's skirting of those questions, and his parsing of words, which McCain specifically pointed out at least once. He was also effective at fending off Obama's continued and transparent attempt to connect McCain with Bush, which is really becoming tedious at this point. I do wish the memo would be passed around that Bush is not running, and McCain has not been Bush's BFF during the last 8 years.
Bottom line: McCain demonstrated his vast experience in foreign policy and his ability and readiness to lead and guide the US through some hard times. Best of all, he did not buy in to the Democrat's line that the United States has lost standing in the world. He knows we are still the country the others wish to be, and Americans are going to vote for a man who respects America, not one who apologizes for it. I say McCain came out steady and ready, and won this round.