Round One
Posted by: prehistoric rocket science on: September 27, 2008
Buoyed by his big bounce in the polls, McCain marched into Ole Miss to take it to the uppity upstart from Chicago. 97 minutes later, the 72 year old gasped has final gaffes and sullenly slunk off stage. What a war…
Every hardcore McCain supporter watched a McCain triumph. Every hardcore Obama supporter watched an Obama triumph. Can you guess where I’m heading on this one?
Well, the pundits scored a victory for the old man on points, but gave the nod to the youngster on style. When the polls came in, 2 to 1 in favor of Obama, things started to get interesting. Team McCain started crying, “Why did Obama call McCain “John?!?”, and making an ad clipping together the 13 times Obama said McCain was right.
Now, my plan was to watch the debate with some folks who would fit into the category of “low-information” voters, and see their gut reaction on the spot. It was an enlightening experience. For example, the candidates sparred for 39 minutes over earmarks and taxes. What stuck out for my friends? Obama’s line that while 18 billion was a big number (earmarks), 300 billion was a much bigger number (Bush tax cuts). My friends were surprised that Obama supported offshore drilling and that the reason McCain opposed the current bill is that it takes away tax breaks for Big Oil – that was a real eye-opener. Drill, baby – WHAT?!?
But the most decisive point of the night wasn’t anything either candidate said. It was their demeanor. Obama didn’t hit hard, he did a lot of bobbing and weaving followed by a few love-taps. Spain? What about Spain? McCain came out hard and strong. He looked like a fighter. Punching and counter-punching. He came across looking mean. At one point, I heard a guy say, “Why’s he so mad?”
I think the answer to that question is simple; he’s mad because as of this morning at least, John McCain lost Round One.
8 Responses to "Round One"
September 27, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I have to agree that John McCain lost round one but it was no decisive victory for Obama. There were too many opportunities that Obama missed to really stick it to McCain. I watched the first half hour, got bored and went out with some friends. After all we can always hit rewind or read the transcripts.
McCain was beginning to sound like a broken record with the earmarks stuff. Obama had the perfect opportunity to bring up Alaska’s earmarks. I was somewhat disappointed but will watch again. At least the public has sent the message to the talking heads that they are woefully out of touch with the “average”, “middle class” American!!
September 27, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Good point on McCain dissing the middle class.
I’m pretty sure Team Obama decided not to get too confrontational (steer clear of the Angry Black Man scenario), just like Team McCain decided that whatever Obama said, just keep repeating, “he doesn’t understand”.
September 27, 2008 at 3:30 pm
“Why did Obama call McCain “John?!?”
I must admit I did giggle at that one – why would it matter one jot what Obama called him – beside calling him a c*(t?
September 27, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Thanks, Will. You made me laugh!
I can’t wait to hear what they’ll be complaining about on Thursday night…
September 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I just want to know where you found “low information voters?”
September 28, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Great post Kurt. Your ‘low information voters’ reaction was key.
I think Obama didn’t want to attack and look like he was beating up the old guy.
Obama had a look on his face of WTF when McCain said “I love the vets and the vets know it. You could see that he wanted to call McCain on that but decided against it because whenever anyone says anything about McCain about his military experience it’s viewed as an attack.
I’m glad Obama got some punches and jabs in himself. I loved it when Obama rattled off all the names of the former USSR members and countries in the region – he showed that understood the neighborhood and the issues just as McCain did.
I’m not going to underestimate Palin but I can’t wait for Thursday’s debate.
September 27, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Kurt, I wish McCain would stick to one thing! If he said he wasn’t going to attend the debate until the bail-out crisis was resolved, he should have held his ground. Now he looks like a fool again. I for one never believed he would not attend because all along he had an agenda. Following the debate it was reported he was rushing back to Washington. I agree John McCain lost round one. It’s interesting he never talks about “middle class.”