Nathan Moore's Thoughts
2008 Debates, Vol. II, The Sequel that Begs for Less
There were some good lines, John McCain did his best on a couple of issues with Obama, and missed opportunities on countless more. Barack Obama, otherwise known as “That One”, appeared articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking (I asked Joe Biden myself), and that was about all.
These are opportunities that John McCain cannot miss. And what was with his campaign apparently agreeing to “no follow-up questions”? McCain should be begging for follow-up questions, as they free up the flow of the debate and give the moderator less of an opportunity to reign in direct confrontation. I scream in frustration.
Plus, could the audience questions as a whole been more banal? One difficult question for each candidate would have been nice. All the audience didn’t ask was what each candidate’s favorite color is and whether they support the kicking of puppies. Ask McCain about some flip-flopping. Ask Obama about who he considers his most important mentors. Or how he financed his home in such a troubling economy. Or how a domestic terrorist launched his political career.
The last debate is more formal in structure, and will serve Obama’s strengths much better than last night in Nashville did, which is not good for McCain. Three stalemates serve only to help Obama. McCain needs a clear win. At least last night he went more on the offensive than in Round One. I hope he carries that same tenaciousness into Round Three - a starker contrast is required between the Republican with real bona fides and the Democrat poseur, whose entire raison d’election couldn’t even dance on the head of a pin, no matter how many of his supporters believe in his eternal infallability.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
The Kool-aid drinkers abound. Heard on NPR a discussion on whether McCain’s comment “that guy” last night in the debate was racially motivated. When they have no substance, they just attack anything.
October 8th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Actually, Rick, McCain didn’t even bother humanizing Obama - he referred to him as “that one,” not “that guy.”
I’m not going to get anywhere near a racial argument with that comment, but I do think it was pretty disrespectful.
I am more bothered that McCain assumed people (or was it just the one questioner in particular?) had no idea who/what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were before the current financial troubles.
McCain came across as rather condescending.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Catherine…..BO supporters may feel McCain was condescending, and McCain supporters will feel that BO, with his little smirks, was condescending and arogant. No real substance was revealed here by either guy. No one connected with the American people, no one got angry, and convinced me that they would go to the gates of HELL in order to correct it and make the ones responsible pay for their abuse.
I wish someone would be a bit disrespectful to the guys who allowed this Fannie and Freddie mess. There needs to be some jail time , Barney Frank comes to mind, Dodd seems like another. I am encouraged, lol, by the superior handling by our gov. in this matter, and find it unimaginable how anyone would want to allow more control of ANYTHING by Washington, either side.
Also, most people listening,who never paid attention to the world of loans, probably thought Fannie and Freddie were the first names of Sugarland. People had no idea what Fannie and Freddie did before current events hit them in the face, and if you talked to the man in the streets today, most could not tell you what they “do” today.
Surveys that I have heard of show that a large section of the population have trouble naming the VP, Sec. of State, even who in in the POTUS office, local Congressman, Senator, or even Gov. of their state. Pretty poor if you ask me. I also think this goes for knowledge of either candidate’s platform in detail, not just the “change” garbage.