[manga illustration by hyperbolic pants explosion]
I didn’t see a clear winner in tonight’s presidential debate (except C-SPAN, which has created a great resource with their “Debatehub”, useful as the debates happen and afterward). Had things turned out as they did in a foreign policy debate that actually focused on foreign policy, I’d give the tie to Obama based on the various predictions that of the three planned debates, this was the one McCain was most likely to dominate. But neither candidate really rose to the occasion. Both were dispassionate– Obama didn’t turn on the jets as I hoped he would, McCain didn’t fall prey to his temper. It felt like McCain dominated the clock with long-winded answers, but Obama did nothing to assert himself either (of course, neither did Jim Lehrer, invisible moderator man). Still, I thought Obama delivered the only memorable lines of the night, beginning one response to McCain’s discussion of the Iraq war:
“John, you like to pretend like the war started in 2007.”
the only moment I thought one of them might break out and show some emotion was when Obama incredulously questioned McCain’s dubious claims to being a “maverick”:
“John, it’s been your president who you said you agreed with 90 percent of the time who presided over this increase in spending. This orgy of spending and enormous deficits you voted for almost all of his budgets. So to stand here and after eight years and say that you’re going to lead on controlling spending and, you know, balancing our tax cuts so that they help middle class families when over the last eight years that hasn’t happened I think just is, you know, kind of hard to swallow.”
But it didn’t happen and the bus turned right back toward snoozeville.
In the end, Obama was more thorough and precise with details that effectively countered McCain’s claims. The transcripts read well for him, putting him in relatively sharp definition compared to the vague stump-speech platitudes from McCain. But McCain sounded more sincere– or at least more personally engaged– and ultimately showed a bit of the calculated simplicity and direct personal address that I believe won Bush a wholly undeserved second term.
As a skeptical Obama supporter feeling more and more disappointed since he won the primary, this was not the kind of performance I hoped for.
Here are my thoughts on last nights’ debate and advice to Obama:
ON BEING PRESIDENTIAL
There is no doubt Senator Obama passed the “presidential” litmus test last night. He passed before a word was even uttered. Upon introduction Obama came towards McCain’s podium more quickly, readily offering his right hand. As McCain took it Obama offered the friendly gesture of lightly touching McCain’s right forearm. It was not returned. Obama had taken control of the introduction. Obama is the alpha male. It was repeated in exactly the same manner at the end of the debate. Again, McCain reacts to Obama’s actions. During the debate Obama referred to Senator McCain as John while McCain clung to Senator Obama, another subtle sign of dominance.
It’s important to note that in my opinion this is the dynamic of the two Senators and not necessarily the general public’s reaction to the two. In that regard I’m not sure Obama fared as well.
WHERE OBAMA DID HIT EFFECTIVELY
Senator Obama refused to let this debate devolve into a name calling slugfest which Mccain was clearly comfortable doing. He hit some nice early jabs like this one when speaking of the Iraq war:
“You like to pretend like the war started in 2007 — you talk about the surge. The war started in 2003,” Mr. Obama said. “At the time, when the war started, you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong.”
On the economy he offered this analysis;
“We also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain — the theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most and somehow prosperity will trickle down,” Mr. Obama said. “It hasn’t worked.”
But that was about it. McCain quickly resorted to making disparaging comments towards Obama and for the most part Obama refused to return the volley. Time and time again he was the victim of non-sensical non-substantive put downs without a counter attack.
WHERE OBAMA COULD HAVE HIT BACK HARD
1) ON NAIVETE
After McCain’s first assertion of naiveté’ Obama could have immediately interjected:
• “One could argue John that an uninvited invasion of a country was naïve. One that had nothing to do with 9/11, one with thousands of years of religious unrest between sunni’s and shia.
• It can be argued that it was naïve to tell the American public we would be greeted as liberators as you and President Bush suggested. If not nave then an outright lie.
• It could be considered naïve to say the war would cost 60 billion dollars which would be paid for in oil revenue.
• It could be considered naïve to profess Mission Accomplished ON A BANNER WHILE WEARING A FLIGHT OUTFIT NO LESS when things were already crumbling inside the green zone.
• It could be considered naïve to not listen to the advice multiple middle eastern experts who said the decision to enter Iraq was fraught with peril.
DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT NAÏVE JOHN.
2) ON CUTTING WASTEFUL SPENDING
In another exchange McCain bragged about saving the Dept. of Defense 6.9 billion on a pet project. Obama should have immediately jumped in and said
“You could have saved us 700 BILLION and counting by taking a smarter approach to the War on Terror John.
Mccain constantly referred to his years of experience, an area Obama is arguably lacking. Obama could have countered with something like this:
“It’s true John you’ve been in politics almost as long as I’ve been alive. You and your party presided over the Keating 5 scandal, the 1987 market crash and the Savings and Loan debacle which is disgustingly similar to our current predicament. I promise the American people I’ll learn from this current crisis and insist on regulating Wall Street. We wish you had.”
3) ON SHOWING RESTRAINT
McCain churlishly chided Obama on asking Russia and Georgia to show restraint. Restraint is a quality we MUST HAVE in a President. Our rush into Iraq, an insistence on labeling an Axis-of-Evil and threatening Iran has unfairly painted us as bullys to the rest of the world. Obama should have fought back with
“It’s a shame we didn’t exercise restraint after the horrible events of 9/11. Had we done so while listening to middle eastern experts we would not have rushed into the wrong war. A war that has already cost us more lives than we lost on 9/11. A war that has weakened our international standing and cost us 700 billion dollars. And most importantly, a war that has allowed the despicable Osama bin laden to live and plot another attack.”
4) ON THE ECONOMY
This is an area Obama should have mopped up the floor with McCain. Deregulation and lack of oversight from a Republican administration and congress has created potentially the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. To the McCain handlers’ credit, conversation quickly switched it to an indictment of tax and spend liberals. This is unfathomable. Obama should have unleashed a staccato-like attack on the current administration.
“Since we invaded Iraq:
• Gas has climbed from 1.45 to 3.75 per gallon. To the average individual who fills her car up twice per week that is $4,500 per year. Almost $400 per month.
• At the same time Unemployment has risen by 50%
• Clinton left us with a surplus of 127 billion. We now have a budget deficit in excess of 500 billion and this is BEFORE a federal bailout!
5) FIGHTING BACK
Obama has insisted on taking the high road throught this election season. He is obviously uncomfortable denigrating a fellow human. This is an admirable quality and I think it would serve him well as President. Unfortunately it may not be serving him well running for President.
“John, I appreciate your pithy one liners and attempts at humor but this is important. Never before has our country faced so much tumult. We don’t need a wise cracking maverick. We had that for the last 8 years and look how that turned out. We need a thoughtful, measured approach to the myriad problems America faces today. I realize I’m not an “ahh shucks” good ole boy like our current President or a grandfatherly wise guy. What I am is a man who has served his country since coming out of college. Someone who is uniquely American. I am the son of an African American from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was born out of wedlock and raised by my white grandparents in Hawaii and Kansas. I AM America and I love her very very deeply. Being President is not a joke it’s a privilege and I want desparately to lead this country out of the mess we have inherited from 8 years of your parties neglect and indifference. Thank you. “
Wow. Accurate, good advice. I like pretty much all of it, but love #5…