As I started watching the debate, I naively assumed I would see the benefits of both and the drawbacks of neither. In actuality, I observed the drawbacks of both and the benefits of neither.
The one notable difference was each man’s presentation of his respective points. Sen. Barack Obama seemingly agreed on many points and Sen. John McCain couldn’t bring himself to address his opponent directly.
When someone is directly addressing you, look him in the eyes with some conviction.
It’s a matter of character. It’s a matter of whether or not you’re confident in your ability to lead and establish your case to be President. I saw an archaic, pusillanimous American politician attempting to boost his self-proclaimed “maverick” ego.
If it was an attempt to belittle, embarrass or simply disregard Obama, McCain did more harm than good. I am confident that McCain rubbed the American public the wrong way. I found his disposition to be demeaning, haughty and classless. Oh yeah, one more thing, wipe that ludicrous smirk off your face.
In that case, Obama should have said, “John … John … JOHN! Look at me like a man!”
A subtle yet notable observation was McCain’s name-dropping tactics. Seemingly on every point, McCain nonsensically dropped someone’s name that didn’t even bolster his point. Three times, McCain referred to Ronald Reagan.
McCain’s greatest deficiency – the notion he is another four years of Bush – gave way for a verbal bashing from Obama. Obama slammed McCain on his economic policy claiming trickle-down economics as a flawed system.
“Now, we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain, a theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down,” Obama said.
Failing to even mention President Bush by name, McCain characterized himself as a “maverick” that is willing to work on a bipartisan level in order to govern responsibly. McCain’s cunning distancing from the GOP is admirable, yet I cannot help but think it’s a ploy to get elected.
Obama’s temperament, on the other hand, at times came off as defensive. Justifiably agitated by McCain, Obama demonstrated a boyish juvenility by regularly interrupting McCain on tax policy, corporate economic policy and the Iraq War troop surge.
Both Obama and McCain evaded questions about the ramifications of the roughly $700 billion economic bailout.
“We haven't seen the language yet. And I do think that there's constructive work being done out there. So, for the viewers who are watching, I am optimistic about the capacity of us to come together with a plan,” Obama said. “The question, I think, that we have to ask ourselves is, how did we get into this situation in the first place?”
McCain also failed to provide any insight on the subject.
“But I want to emphasize one point to all Americans tonight,” said McCain. “This isn't the beginning of the end of this crisis. This is the end of the beginning, if we come out with a package that will keep these institutions stable.”
Uh… What the heck/hell are you guys talking about?
One cannot watch a debate and not take notice of the “zingers.”
There was one in there that really caught my eye. When describing McCain’s plan to freeze defense spending, Obama said, “The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel.”
I guess this how the game is played and we'll just have to see who the winner is.
Be the first to comment on this article!