I agree with some of what you’re saying, Derek, but “his body language betrayed his prejudice”? That’s a bit over the top, don’t you think?

Posted by Jesse Gardner on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

Upon reflection, I changed it to “contempt” which closer to what I meant.

Posted by Derek Powazek on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

Well noted. Enjoying these political posts, Derek. Thanks for posting!

Posted by Aaron on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

I hate writing “me, too” posts, but I agree with everything you’ve written here, Derek.

What I learned from election.twitter.com is that there are far too many people who want a leader who’s folksy and non-threatening. Me? I want someone in office who at least acts as if he’s more intelligent than the general populace.

Posted by MissMeliss on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

i’d really like to see obama get tougher. there was a quick flash in his eye when mccain said obama didn’t know the difference between strategy and tactics - i wanted that fire to come out.

Posted by denise on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

Derek: Alright, I can live with that. =)

I think your last point is somewhat fatalistic. The whole point is the discover how someone thinks about the world and then to decide whether or not you agree with them. If Obama demonstrated the worldview you share and McCain did not, then I’d say the debate’s purpose was fulfilled if even just to confirm again that you agree with the man.

Posted by Jesse Gardner on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

Either that, or it was a joke. ;-)

Posted by Derek Powazek on 26 September 2008 @ 7pm

You all know this: [but, to me], debates are one of the points of a campaign, along with the teams, strategies, responses, tones, and all other messages, policies and arguments that fill the campaign ground, airspace and timeline. But, debates are the only times you get both guys respond together under pressure. You get a scent. Of how they are dealing with the pressure. Here [in Australia, last year] our debates helped the electorate on the path they were already on. In yours, I hope that happens too.

Posted by Jacqui McGirr on 26 September 2008 @ 8pm

“What I learned from election.twitter.com: McCain supporters like McCain. Obama supporters like Obama. Fascinating.”

Hahah. I hope you were saying that in a Spock voice in your mind, because that’s how I read it. I often find the partisans more interesting to listen to than the so-called objective responses. At least you know the partisans are being honest about their biases.

Posted by Annalee on 26 September 2008 @ 10pm

I would love to see a cross section of voters who are not supporters of either, just to see what the wildcards are up to.

Posted by Devorah on 27 September 2008 @ 1am

Are you sure McCain’s body language was communicating contempt, and not fear?

Posted by Eric Meyer on 27 September 2008 @ 3am

“Sen. Obama doesn’t get it” - I double-dog dare McCain to say he AGREES with him!

Although, the agreeing with McCain got annoying after the first twenty times . . . if I got shot every time Obama said “Sen. McCain is absolutely right”? I’d be dead by now.

Just to be fair, McCain said “veteran” about a million times. I think he should wear a bracelet for every man slaughtered in that stupid phony war. And Somalia? Did McCain say things went well in Somalia??? Cuz I missed that.

Considering the magnitude of this election, I was really hoping for a little more bestial sex from both candidates during the debate. But Obama is CLEARLY the man for the job. Our country needs intelligence, not a warrior.

Posted by Susan on 27 September 2008 @ 3am

Little biased here….

as expected on the internet I guess

Posted by Peter on 27 September 2008 @ 4am

See, this is why I don’t even attempt humor. My funny bone must be dislocated.

Posted by Jesse Gardner on 27 September 2008 @ 5am

It’s easy to sideline quarterback a debate like this. Yes, I wish Obama had taken McCain to the cleaners but remember, he never did all that well in primary debates and there was worry that he’d collapse here. He certainly didn’t and he did well enough so that only the most diehard McCain folks can spin it that McCain “won” the debate.

If you look at only language and phrasing, leaving behind content (what you agree and disagree with) Obama did take McCain to the cleaners. His delivery was and is more Presidential, more considered, and more linguistically correct. He speaks clearly like he actually understands what he’s talking about. And I do believe he does.

John McCain is a reactionary in many ways and his delivery is from the hip coupled with some calculation but it’s far from Presidential in my view. Yes, George W. Bush has dumbed down what is now considered Presidential but let’s leave him out of it (just for a moment). Forgetting ideology (how can we but lets) McCain and Palin both, in their own ways do not make great diplomats or leaders.

Whether or not McCain chose Palin, he had to agree to have her on his ticket. That alone should disqualify him for being President. I don’t want a President who says he’s a conservative and then does about the most un-conservative thing he could do in picking a lightweight like Palin.

I do not want a leader who governs on the fly. How on earth can McCain paint Achmadinajad as dangerous when he too shoots from the hip, just like George W. Bush?

Derek, I don’t think Obama is so unlike Clinton. Both are smart, both will gather smart people around them and actually listen to all sides, and both have a big world view. Unlike Clinton though, Obama is wise. Clinton let us down by failing to be wise (if no Monica, no Bush) and I would argue lack of wisdom is exactly why Hillary lost the primaries.

Never mistake intelligence for wisdom. I think Obama has both which is rare in anyone, especially politicians.

Posted by Richard on 27 September 2008 @ 7am

On the race thing, McCain represents a state where it’s not an issue and he came from a military which as colorblind as an organization gets. It doesn’t factor into his thinking from everything I have seen of the man, I am from his state and watched him for while, I’ll probably won’t vote for him but that is on a seperate issues. As for Obama it would only negatively impact his voting base so he has no cause to bring it up either.

That the Civil Rights act wasn’t voted on until McCain was 28 and your comment on him telling stories sounds like you are playing the “I hate old people” card Derek.

As for the Colbert and Stewart they are fine comedians but politics isn’t a comedy show at the end of the day, at least intentionally. It looks like you wanted a comedy show instead of a policy debate.

I am a Libertarian and read a bunch of people’s views of this and it seems McCain and Obama were fairly friendly. I don’t think you are looking objectively, but with seeing what you want to find. But then you came into this debate knowing which candidate you would vote for so it’s not like McCain could have changed your mind anyways.

Posted by Thomas on 27 September 2008 @ 8am

Richard actually there are many smart and wise politicians, it’s just ego gets in the way.

(Degree in Poli Sci and 6 years experience working in DC on policy work)

Posted by Thomas on 27 September 2008 @ 8am

Outstanding list. I noticed your second bullet point almost immediately. Even when the candidates and their wives shook hands, McCain didn’t really look Obama in the eye.

Posted by Nina on 27 September 2008 @ 9am

Derek,
I fully agree with your summary of the debate.

I think that on policy issues, there were no surprises whatsoever. McCain talked about the sorts of things that conservatives care about and Obama presented a well-articulated view of what us commi’s believe in.

So, the only real point that the candidates made, I thought, was through the way they carried themselves. I was completely taken aback by John McCain’s demeanor: so disrespectful, so condescending…really uncalled for. I was very proud of Barack Obama for acting like a grown-up that was confident in what he was saying.

Posted by petya on 27 September 2008 @ 9am

Peter and others: Bias is what personal websites are for! My political views are easily found.

And Thomas: I don’t hate old people. I just don’t want to elect one. Especially one with a belipsticked bulldog crazypants as his benchwarmer.

Posted by Derek Powazek on 27 September 2008 @ 9am

Nice work. One of the best summaries I’ve read. Thanks!

Posted by Julie hamwood on 27 September 2008 @ 9am

I really doubt that your presidential election has to do with our country (Indonesia). But I do love Obama.

Posted by Daus on 27 September 2008 @ 2pm

Well said, Richard! Couldn’t have said it better myself. And don’t forget, Obama is doing everything that Clinton did, all while being black. Unfortunately, you can never underestimate the disadvantage of that ’small handicap’ in American politics.

Posted by elle on 29 September 2008 @ 10am

I enjoyed that post a lot, considering that I am not even American! But if I were, it would be Obama, no doubt - because even if I don’t know anything else, I can see that Palin is no VP material.

Posted by Sonya on 9 October 2008 @ 12pm