Anyway... so after watching the first debate (twice) I am convinced, more than ever, that while neither candidate instilled much confidence in me, Obama just doesn't have the answers. The first 40 minutes of the debate centered around the domestic economic situation. Neither candidate really had much to say. But, I must say that Obama's responses were completely empty of useful content. "Change," yes we know you want change. But HOW, exactly do you plan to affect change, Senator Obama? You want to change the root of the domestic economic problem heh? What, exactly, is your plan? I noticed that, at one point, the mediator attempted to nail Obama down to answering the HOW in his plan of "change." That was the first time I have ever seen Obama at an obvious loss for words. He fumbled his answer (or lack thereof) like a clumsy Jr. High football player in his first game of the season.
I'm not super excited about McCain's response to the economic situation, but at least he HAS a specific plan, or the beginnings of one. It seemed as though Obama hadn't put ANY thought to the issue prior to the cameras turning on. I will concede that neither candidate hit a home run on this issue since neither candidate really had enough information to confidently propose a definitive plan of action. I give half of a point to McCain for at least stating a plan.
The next 50 minutes of the debate concentrated on foreign policy. This is where Obama just scared the hell out of me. Senator McCain took Senator Obama to school! It actually seemed as though Obama was getting educated on legitimate foreign affairs. Obama was speaking philosophy when McCain was speaking reality. Obama talked about what he wanted, McCain talked about what was needed. I felt like Obama was reciting and defending an event from a college textbook when McCain had actually experienced the event and could speak directly to it, from his personal experience. The differences were obvious and so was Obama's lack of experience. I'm not for doing things the "same old way," but Obama has no clue as to HOW to affect the "change" he desires and with the volatility of the world, specifically the middle east, this is just not an option. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it when McCain suggested at Obama's response to Iran, "So let me get this right, we sit down with Ahmadinejad and he says 'We're gonna wipe Israel off the face of the earth. and we say 'No you're not? I don't think so." Then McCain went on to put Obama in his place as to what Henry Kissinger did or did not say, who is a 30+ year friend of McCains'. Senator Obama, you just look liked a fool, when it comes to international affairs. Point to McCain.
I've decided to dock Obama a point for distasteful disrespect. Did anyone else notice that Senator Obama began referring to Senator McCain as "John." Not just once, as two cordial debaters might do as an indication of a personal relationship with each other. Rather, this was an attempt at stripping McCains' dignity and equality as a Senator. Poor behavior Senator Obama! Deduct one point from Obama.
One thing that jumped out to me, and probably most everyone who was watching, was the distinct difference in the candidate's pubic speaking abilities. They're POLITICIANS, they are both adequate public speakers, but Obama is definitely smoother and more well spoken. McCain trips over his words and searches for what he wants to say and how he wants to say it a bit more. It definitely takes more energy and discipline to listen to Senator McCain speak. But, here's the catch; I'd rather have a President who takes a bit more time searching for the right words to say, even stumbling over his delivery a bit, than a President who is smooth, well spoken and always ready with a witty response but whose message is devoid of substance or depth. I feel as though everyone is swooning over Senator Obama's oration skills, like a ship full of sailors chasing the siren's calling. We all know what happened to the sailors. I'll give Obama half a point for at least sounding good though.
Tally:
Obama: -.5
McCain: 1.5
In my mind, the win goes to McCain in this debate. I look forward to the others and I will attempt to be as non-biased as possible in my analysis of those too.
5 comments:
love the pictures on the side of your blog!!
it is interesting to read your thoughts. when i was down in june, i know you and steph were mccain supporters. so it doesn't at all surpise me that you thought he had the edge in the debate. it makes sense that he spoke to you more since it is a platform that you endorse.
i thought that obama rocked it. i thought he was heads above mccain in not just delivery or style (that doesn't matter that much like you said) but in content, as well.
i'm not saying that to disagree with you.... i totally respect your opinions and this is YOUR blog. my point is for the person who has decided on their candidate, i don't think there were any surprises. but for the undecided and conflicted voter, i wonder what they saw in the debate.
it is all very interesting and i'll be checking out the others, as well.
i'm especially interested in thursday... i think palin will be a train wreck that will be better than any reality television program. :)
Very well said babe! I totally agree.
Diane, you sure went easy on Jon in your response. We were prepared for a lot worse. :)
Honestly, Diane, when you were down in June I was very undecided. Although I am a republican, I was not happy with McCain, and thought Obama was very well spoken and held himself very well. I like, along with everyone else, like his message of change. I don't think anyone wants the same thing as what is going on now. But, I began really listening for what he planned to actually do to affect this change he claimed to be able to bring. I'm still waiting for to hear a realistic plan with substance. Is change needed? Yes. But, he'd better have better plans than what he has so far. Otherwise, he's just another American with a simple desire to see change... just like the rest of us. I don't want one of us in the White House... I want someone who knows a hell of a whole lot more than the rest of us.
Diane, I( Stephanie) did not write the message above. That was Jon accidentally logged in as me. :)
Yes, Steph... I've been trying to go easy. Otherwise it just come across like I know best, and that is just plain arrogant. And I don't want to be arrogant, even if I know I am right. ;)
I would agree that Obama can't cash in on all of his promises. It's the name of politics, on all sides at all times. The same is true for McCain... on one hand he is talking about programs and on the other he's saying we need a spending freeze.
I think there is a small back lash from undecided voters. In the beginning there was so much energy around Obama, that people expected him to fix everything. NO candidate can do that. Now I think people are realizing that he isn't all things to all people and they question their vote.
But with that said, I sure do trust him more than McCain. I like what Obama has to say about energy, and I appreciate his priorities on the economy, the war, education, etc. And I think he will surround himself with smart people.
McCains health care package scares the hell out of me. Taxing my health benefits and then giving me a stipend that won't cover the costs? Out of nearly everything said, I think this scares me the most.
I've been totally unimpressed with McCain and how he twists words that are more about symantics vs. actual content. It seems so desperate to me.
I think people are afraid of change. I think that even tho the past eight years have been horrible under GW, people would rather sign on for the known, rather than the unknown. In many ways, that is a part of human nature. I'm ready for something different than the past eight years.
Oh, and to top it off, Palin should scare anybody. I don't blame her, I think the McCain camp did a horrible job in the vetting process. She's so over her head, and as cliche as it is, one heartbeat away from the presidency is very real.
Thoughts?
Now, if I was REALLY going to be hard on you, I'd talk about your fantasy football team...
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