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McCain Did Better But Just Not Good Enough

By Alan Stewart Carl | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Debates, McCain

So, who said Barack Obama can’t debate well? And weren’t these debates supposed to be John McCain’s moments to shine?

I’d like to give this debate to McCain. He was at his strongest (although others disagree). And Obama was almost too laidback, too sure of his own staggering intellect and ability to reason his way out of any tight spot. But McCain just never landed the knockout. He spent too much time criticizing minute details of Obama’s plans and not enough time explaining how his plans will make us a better nation.

In a debate, disparaging your opponent’s ideas looks like offense but it’s actually defense. And McCain played too much defense tonight.

As for Obama, the man is pure silk. I can’t remember a politician sounding so comfortable delivering debate answers. Tonight, as in the previous debates, Obama sounded like he was just speaking off the cuff, as if he didn’t even have to prepare. I’m sure some people find that worrisome (oooh, he’s slimy), but I like it. I enjoy listening to the man because I believe he’s speaking from real knowledge and not just talking points. Even when I know he’s equivocating (as with his b.s. answer on his previous NAFTA opposition), he sounds reasonable, which makes me think he is reasonable. I’d like to have a beer or two with the guy and talk politics.

So, Obama won simply by holding serve. He just had to play prevent defense (to mangle my sports metaphors) and he did that well enough. McCain had to present a resoundingly clear alternative. But he wasted too much time going after Obama and not enough time promoting his own plans. He wants me to vote for him because he’s not Barack Obama. But he needed to convince me to vote for him because he’s him.

McCain did well, but just not well enough.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, Debates, McCain. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “McCain Did Better But Just Not Good Enough”

  1. bunny fufu Says:
    October 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

    so which evil did you decide upon?

  2. Divided We Stand United We Fall Says:
    October 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Live Blogging the Live Bloggers - It’s All Over…

    DWSUWF - Net net. It does not matter what happened in this debate. It does not matter what substance (or the lack thereof) was to be found in the questions and answers. Obama was cool. Obama was silky smooth. McCain made funny faces. Ergo, Obama won. T…

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