Thoughts on Debate 2

Some of my reactions to last night's second presidential debate:

  • BORING!
  • Debates seem to sap every ounce of charisma out of Obama.
  • I found myself terribly annoyed at both of them for ignoring the agreed-upon time structures. They both see themselves as above the rules.
  • Once, when Brokaw admonished them about following the time limits, Obama said he was just trying to keep up with McCain. Which is a totally leaderless way of whining, "He started it!"
  • I fell asleep halfway through.
  • I guess they did deal with issues, just in a droning kind of way.
  • Where's the witty, smiling, happy warrior McCain of 2000?
  • Obama continually used up all his time, and then would say, "I'd like to make one more point." Really annoying.
  • Toward the end, I thought McCain was launching into another tedious "preconditions" rant. (Jesus said that when you have problems with someone, you go talk to them. I apply that view to international relations, which is why I'm in line with Obama on this. Talking is better than pouting.)
  • McCain could take shots and just brush them off. But Obama was defensive, wanting to correct every perceived misstatement. As I said before: chill, dude.
  • On Morning Joe this morning, they were lamenting that there wasn't a baseball game they could switch to.
  • People are making too much over McCain's "that one" statement. In such a dull debate, it's hard finding something to talk about.
  • I found McCain's answers easier to follow than Obama's. But when I didn't drift off, I liked Obama's answers.
  • McCain really really dislikes Obama.
  • They both worked hard at contriving empathy for voters and for the people asking questions. I think we all saw through it. Obama and McCain didn't truly "feel your pain."
  • Okay, John, we got it: you're a maverick. Jolly.
  • They're saying Obama won because he didn't lose. Maybe so. But he was somewhat diminished in my eyes. No great vision or hint of charisma (unlike the first debate).
  • Michael Scherer notes that, "The key to the classic McCain town hall is that McCain is having fun. He did not appear to be having fun tonight."
  • McCain seemed to disappear real soon after the debate ended, while Obama stuck around. What's with that?

Posted on October 8, 2008 08:45 AM|

Comments

I think you hit the nail on the head with Obama keeping up with McCain. I couldn't figure out what about Obama bugged me. Now I know--he doesn't come across as a strong LEADER. He come across as someone who says what he thinks people want to hear and he doesn't take the lead. He responds.

Posted by: jh | October 8, 2008 09:36 AM

Full Disclosure: I've never supported Obama. Never will. But he has been a fairly good speaker. Last night, he was terrible. He just kept looking down to his left, trying to remember talking points. McCain seemed off his game. This wasn't a typical town hall. Brokaw (best moderator so far) screened the questions to the point that save for the last one, they were typical, already asked, questions. Very few of the charecter questions: "Name a major crisis in you life and how you responded." "What was your proudest momemt? Most humiliating or humbling?"

Still, Obama moved down a bit, even if McCain didn't move up much.

Posted by: Adam Will | October 8, 2008 10:30 AM

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