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The Debate's Crucial Subtext: Reaction Shots
Frontpage Magazine ^ | 09/26/08 | David Horowitz

Posted on 09/27/2008 5:01:52 AM PDT by garyhope

Posted at 10:49 PM on 9/26/2008 by David Horowitz

The Debate's Crucial Subtext: Reaction Shots

Call me strange but I think undecided and swing voters are more swayed by character than by issues. The issues voters are already committed. Watching the debat this evening I was struck by the inability of Obama to keep his cool when his positions were challenged by his opponent. During the second half of the debate he was rattled and lost his composure almost every time John McCain contested or contradicted what he said. Scowls, inappropriate smiles, shaking of the head, rude interruptions betrayed the inner roiling of the presidential aspirant's emotions. It reminded me of Gore's unhinged performance in the 2000 debates. None of the TV pundits I watched even mentioned this. But to my mind the crucial question the debate posed was this: Is this a man you would feel safe entrusting with the most powerful position on earth in the midst of the greatest challenges this nation has faced in a generation? That's still the question that swing voters will answer and in my view will decide this question.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; 2008debates; chracter; debate; debates; electionpresident; horowitz; issues; mccainpalin; obama; swingvoters
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Who's more "Presidential", McCain or Obambi
1 posted on 09/27/2008 5:01:53 AM PDT by garyhope
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To: garyhope

So, did 0be give McCain the subtle bird?


2 posted on 09/27/2008 5:03:31 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Palin for President! (PUMA))
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To: garyhope
I noted two things with 0 - he had a much less detailed grasp of history and the world around him than McCain did. He also didn't seem to able to stand it when McCain challenged him directly by saying things like "Senator Obama is naive". His ego was directly on display there, and it's not a pretty thing to see.

My favorite comment of the evening, though, was in saying that 0 doesn't know the difference between strategy and tactics. To anyone who does know the difference, it was a b!tch slap to the man who would be the CIC of America's Armed Forces.

3 posted on 09/27/2008 5:07:37 AM PDT by Hardastarboard (0bama's past associations need a good "Ayering out".)
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To: garyhope

Obama sure gets rattled easily.

My favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F-PMY72luY

Watch his eyes bug and he kind of gulps. It is so weird.


4 posted on 09/27/2008 5:07:44 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: garyhope

It was pitiful, really......and to hear the talking heads afterward even implying that Obama “won” the debate was simply laughable. He was amateurish, boorish, childish.....as I said on another thread, WAY out of his league.


5 posted on 09/27/2008 5:08:02 AM PDT by RightOnline
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To: Hardastarboard; TigersEye; floriduh voter; slag

“He also didn’t seem to able to stand it when McCain challenged him directly by saying things like “Senator Obama is naive”. His ego was directly on display there, and it’s not a pretty thing to see.”

Smack!


6 posted on 09/27/2008 5:10:40 AM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March (Fannie + Freddie = Democrat Cronies [Dodd and Obama -- the LegisLOOTers])
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To: garyhope

Thank you for the thread. I sometimes prefer to read reactions than to listen with my own bias. FRegards ....


7 posted on 09/27/2008 5:11:41 AM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March (Fannie + Freddie = Democrat Cronies [Dodd and Obama -- the LegisLOOTers])
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To: garyhope

I agree with David on this one. I can’t explain it, I just know it when I see it


8 posted on 09/27/2008 5:12:31 AM PDT by mware (F-R-E-E, that spells free. FReerepublic,com baby)
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To: garyhope

The naive one was visibly uncomfortable as the knife stabbed deeply. The truth appeared painful and bothersome to Obama as it was laid out for all to see.


9 posted on 09/27/2008 5:12:46 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Conservation? Let the NE Yankees freeze.... in the dark)
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To: Hardastarboard
My favorite comment of the evening, though, was in saying that 0 doesn't know the difference between strategy and tactics.

Mine, too, and yet I think it's a guy comment--men get it and appreciate the smackdown, but so far I've not heard too many women comment on it.

My female liberal friend, though, couldn't stop going on about how much Obama not knowing what name was on his bracelet. Drove her NUTS.

10 posted on 09/27/2008 5:12:59 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (What happened to my tagline?)
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To: RightOnline

I couldn’t care less who “won”. Of course the liberal media will call it for their man no matter what. But the important issue is temperment. Mac was forceful but not mean or out of control. Obama looked like he was going to blow a gasket (like he did the other night apparently during the bailout meetings). Mac was in command, and debated, seemingly, with one hand tied behind his back (i.e. having come directly from work—yeah theoretically so did Obama, but come on, who’s been working harder—again, impressions).


11 posted on 09/27/2008 5:13:13 AM PDT by scottinoc
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To: garyhope
Watching the debat this evening I was struck by the inability of Obama to keep his cool when his positions were challenged by his opponent

And, THAT'S what 144 days of senatorial experience buys ya.

12 posted on 09/27/2008 5:15:48 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: garyhope
Watching the debat this evening I was struck by the inability of Obama to keep his cool when his positions were challenged by his opponent

And, THAT'S what 144 days of senatorial experience buys ya.

13 posted on 09/27/2008 5:15:49 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: garyhope

Looking at the posts here at FR and the ones at DU during the debate. FReepers were high fiving at the end of the debate and the DU’ers had to wait until the main stream media got Baraks back before they started to feel a little better.


14 posted on 09/27/2008 5:16:33 AM PDT by mware (F-R-E-E, that spells free. FReerepublic,com baby)
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To: garyhope

Is anyone commenting on how much time Obama dedicated to preparing for the debate compared to McCain?


15 posted on 09/27/2008 5:17:00 AM PDT by mreerm
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To: garyhope

At one point, Jim Lehrer reminded the audience that one of them was going to be President in Jan. When the camera went back to each of them, I asked myself. “Who looked more presidential?” Which one would the voters feel more comfortable about having as their President? Side by side, which is a picture we don’t see often, Obama looks very young and inexperienced, and McCain LOOKS more like a President.
The ‘undecideds’ will vote for McCain, or not vote at all.


16 posted on 09/27/2008 5:19:12 AM PDT by nuconvert (Obama - Preferred by 4 out of 5 Dictators & Terrorists// Rove>Biden is a Big,Blowhard Dufus)
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To: Hardastarboard; Allegra
To anyone who does know the difference, it was a b!tch slap to the man who would be the CIC of America's Armed Forces.

Beyond that. He said it was a tactic to cover failed management, rather than a strategy to win the war. What a POS. Then his constant contention that the political reconciliation in Iraq hadn't happened was absolutely ludicrous. You know how I know? Ask FReeper Allegra how many times she's been rocketed from Sadr City lately!

17 posted on 09/27/2008 5:19:45 AM PDT by Future Snake Eater (My freq'n head hertz...)
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To: RightOnline

Kinda like Wolfson (ugh) appearing on FNC and constantly intoning that “the Uhmerikan people are on the side of the Democrats” regardless of the issue at hand.


18 posted on 09/27/2008 5:20:18 AM PDT by relictele
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To: garyhope

At the end of the debate, I thot Barry was getting down right rude—kept trying to interrupt when he disagreed... McCain is more Presidential.


19 posted on 09/27/2008 5:24:13 AM PDT by Freedom56v2
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To: Darkwolf377; Chieftain

Hey... lets not underestimate women...most women who are at ALL interested get it! Besides, more women than ever watch football, are in business and involved in financial matters of their household retirement.

BTW, they usually win arguments..in both strategy and tactics! ha.


20 posted on 09/27/2008 5:26:05 AM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (GOD BLESS GEORGIA! SAVE GEORGIA, OUR ALLY, NOW!)
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