Posted on 09/26/2008 11:43:57 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It was the most important single showdown in the most expensive campaign in the history of democracy, so it was bound to begin with edgy, cautious manoeuvring and end with rival claims of victory.
And indeed that is exactly how it did unfold - with the spin doctors for Barack Obama and John McCain all claiming that their man had carried the evening.
The aides and advisers spill out into briefing areas within minutes of the end of the debate in the hope of persuading journalists that their side has won.
They know that as soon as a presidential debate is over, very few people will recall the details of dates and places and policy plans which litter the answers of the rival candidates.
Most of us think of it only in the simplest terms - who won? Barack Obama or John McCain?
This debate will be no exception - and there was no shortage of detail in a session which stretched on for about 90 minutes, with the first half-an-hour spent on the economic crisis, and the rest devoted to foreign policy.
So before we review how the rivals dealt with those details - and dealt with each other - here is my answer. It agrees with a quick straw poll I took among the colleagues I followed the exchanges with, but it is my own judgement.
I would say the two candidates finished more or less even on the issue of the economy - and the moderator, Jim Lehrer, even sounded a little frustrated as he tried and failed to get them to address how their economic plans might be changed by the virus of financial decay currently spreading through the banking system.
Both were cautious, neither was particularly compelling.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
aw..this was JUST posted before you did.
I wouldn’t call it a knockout punch, but he definitely won round one.
I’m sending this with pleasure to that “fair and balanced” panel of leftists on cnn.
This was spot on although I didn't read the word 'schooled' as a verb for what McCain did to Obambi 2/3s of the debate, but it was pretty much there. LOL.
I pulled the above quote (even though there were some GREAT ones describing the beat down from McCain) as I just love the way the British talk. polls "generally finely balanced" . . . they have no idea how tossed around we have been here with the polls and how we have suffered so. Guess it shows sometimes it helps to get an outside perspective. (forest through the trees stuff--:-).
Hey didn't Obama use the word stuff tonight? Like a kid. "That money will pay for healthcare and STUFF!" (those weren't his exact words but it was used in a similar way.)
Excellent. Even the lefties abroad know who won this thing.
Why?
If there hadnt’t been a debate the result would be the same with Hussein winning every MSM poll on the debate.
Want to know who the MSM will say wins the next one?
How about who wins the debates in 2102 between a republican and dem?
or 2016?
I already know exactly who the MSM will pick in each.
McCain did win on points. Obama had absolutely nothing substantive to say. He was just like a lawyer... talk talk talk about nothing specific as if he was billing Jim Lehrer by the quarter hour. He was such a windbag I thought he might have been taking debate advise from Joe Biden.
The Bracelet Moment is a perfect distillation of 0bama.
Fraudulent concern that is little more than political posturing.
He has a bracelet, but he doesn’t even know the name on it.
But we’re supposed to believe that he really, really cares.
McCain was the hands down winner. And I agree with this writer. If his direct approach has popular acceptance, McCain will be even more aggressive in subsequent debates.
Not exactly worthy of Harvard Law is it?
I surely would LOVE to get a look at his dissertation/thesis, whatever!
I think the MSM’s position is that, since McCain is clearly more experienced on foreign affairs, anything less than a knockout punch is a loss, or at least a push. That leads me to wonder: if not foreign policy, in what areas does Obama have experience? Economics? Does pimping welfare to inner-city dwellers as a community organizer count as experience? So far, his major pitch has been to give money to the sinlge largest voting block in the country (i.e. the middle class). Sounds really principled.
McCain was stronger, bolder and more experienced. I think this round goes to him, though Obama didn’t embarrass himself.
Don’t you think, that when Obama didn’t know the name on his bracelet, it was an embarrassing monent for him?
According to voters the expectations last night were on Obama, he was expected to beat McCain in the debate and he didnt, thats gonna leave a mark. CNN’s poll before the debate said 59 to 39 that Obama should perform better and he didnt. So McCain really won the expectations game.
Oi Obama, if an "old man" can kick yer butt like that, what makes you think you're fit for dog catcher, never mind POTUS...
In a game of lowering expectations, this is a winnah.
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