I actually think that both candidates did well for themselves. I give a slight edge to Obama because I think he got a few more zingers in on McCain and actually gave a few more points about how McCain has misjudged somethings, but I think McCain did a decent job of pointing out his experience advantage and how he thinks his policies are different and better than Obama's. I think it just comes down to what plan you like better.
I do think Obama looked more comfortable up there. He was engaging McCain, addressing him directly, and even looked into the camera a couple of times to address the country. McCain only ever looked at Jim Lehrer.
Some of my favorite points?...
- When talking about the financial plan for the bailout, Obama said he's looking out for the middle-class. I hope everyone in the middle-class realizes that.
- When Obama mentioned that 10 days before the whole financial crisis started, McCain said the economy is strong, Lehrer told him to say it to McCain, so Obama turned, looked at him, addressed him, and repeated the exact thing again. That was great. And there was nothing McCain could say about that because he did say it. Nice!
- McCain now saying there are fundamental problems in the financial system when 2 weeks ago he was saying the fundamentals were strong. Eeek!
- When McCain was saying Obama wants to implement $800 billion on new spending, Obama interrupted him to review what he wants to do. I loved that interruption.
- I liked how neither candidate would say how they would cut the budget. They couldn't do it.
- I loved it when Obama pointed out to McCain that he's voted with the Bush Administration 90% of the time over the past 8 years, approving their budget and spending, after McCain was complaining about the way spending has gotten out of control. I thought that was brilliant.
- After McCain kept crowing about the troop surge in Iraq, Obama pointed out that was necessary after four years of mismanagement. He pointed out how McCain said the war would be quick and easy, we knew where the WMDs were, that we would be greeted as liberators, that there was no history of violence between Sunnis and Shiites... after making each of these statements, Obama pointed out that McCain was wrong. He he!
- After McCain said he talked to a mother who lost her son in Iraq, she gave him a bracelet with her son's name and said that she didn't want him to have lost his life in vain, implying that leaving Iraq before the war is over would be doing so. Then Obama said he ALSO got a bracelet from another mother who lost her son who said she didn't want any other mother to go through what she was going through and that no US soldier ever dies in vain. I thought this was a draw but took some of the sting out of what McCain was saying.
- I'll give this one to McCain... after Obama talked about not having preconditions for talking with Iran and said we'd tell them they they can't threaten Israel, McCain zinged him good, saying: "Let me get this straight... Ahmedinejad says were going to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and we say, no you're not?" I thought that was good.
Those were my favorite parts.
Let me say this about John McCain: he didn't embarrass himself like George Bush did in the debates 8 and 4 years ago. (I still don't understand how he got elected after those travesties.) I think he did a very good job in this debate and presented his positions well. I do think he's an honorable man, I think he'd do a very respectable job as president if he did win the election, but I just don't agree with his policies... or more that I'm in favor of Obama's positions. Plus I still cannot fathom Palin as VP and potentially President. That just cannot happen.
In any case, a very educational debate tonight. I think they both had strong performances, but I do give the slight advantage to Obama.
Good night, everyone!
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