What McCain Did't Do

Greg Sargent:

On reflection, last night's debate is best understood by what McCain failed to do do. With the dynamic of the race hardening daily in Obama's favor, McCain needed to force a moment where Obama's supposed inexperience and lack of global knowledge jarred viewers into a sudden sense that putting him in charge is risky and dangerous -- hence McCain's repetition of that word.

He didn't do that. At all.

The Debate

I don't think that this was a game changer for either candidate. Both performed well. Substantially, both landed a few punches. Nothing to knock the other out. What struck me the most, however, was the difference in body language. I found McCain's to be distracting. When Obama was talking, McCain shifted, sighed, and sarcastically smiled a lot. This goes along with what many other people have pointed out: McCain would not look at Obama. He very obviously hold Obama in contempt. He looked angry at times, unable to keep himself composed. Obama, by comparison, appeared to be much more in control of himself. He didn't let his emotions get the better of him, and his voice didn'trise above the level he decided. To be fair, though, I was distracted enough by McCain that I couldn't pay the same amount of attention to Obama. I'm sure that I was not the only one who was distracted by this.

Polls are saying that Obama won. This was my initial reaction, though the more I reflect, the
stronger I feel McCain did. McCain did not appear to be confused or unknowledgeable. He kept
Obama on the defensive for much of the foreign policy portion. But I think that this was actually
good for Obama. It allowed him to defend his positions while illustrating why McCain was wrong. He looked as though he knew what he was talking about, and that was very important, considering that foreign policy was John McCain's perceived strength. Because Obama was able to hold his ground, he showed that he is just as capable as McCain. And because McCain couldn't control his temper, he showed that he cannot always keep his calm under pressure. And this is important. Who would you rather have answering the phone at 3am?

McCain Will Show

I'm surprised, but pleased, by the lack-luster reports of McCain's decision to appear at the debates tonight in Oxford, Mississippi. Despite his weighted efforts to show Americans he will undertake part of the burden to create a solution for the United States' financial crisis, reports show McCain hasn't done a whole lot of contributing... something tells me the meetings and solution-propositions could have continued just fine without him. It's also strange that this take-lead, postpone-debates, economy-first attitude is exuding from the man who admittedly is not strong in economics. Furthermore, his economic advisers did not have much to say in part of their contribution.

Nonetheless, I can't wait to see tonight's debate.

... and thank you to grace us, Sen. McCain.