Analysis: Even before debate, styles on view
By Peter S. Canellos, Boston Globe Washington Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON -- The most important revelation surrounding the first presidential debate may have come before it began -- in John McCain's decision to briefly suspend his campaign to work on the financial bailout, and Barack Obama's insistence that the debate go ahead despite the lack of an agreement on a bailout plan.
The candidates were giving voters something that rarely emerges from a debate or even a campaign: Direct insight into their approaches to governing.
McCain has long had a predilection toward crisis management; it suits his temperament, his fervent patriotism, and his barely veiled contempt for politics. He has spent a lot of time over the years looking for opportunities to cast aside normal operations and shift into crisis mode.
At such moments, people presumably rally behind their leader, who can then act decisively in the national interest.
"I would rather lose an election than lose a war," was one of McCain's most popular lines during the primaries. It was his explanation for his support for the surge in troop numbers in Iraq, an initially unpopular strategy, but also an expression of his belief that virtue is often clouded, not clarified, by the political process.
His decision to suspend his campaign -- a truly surprising move -- seemed designed to convey the same message.
"We're running out of time," he declared on Wednesday, in explaining why he was leaving the campaign trail. The campaign, he suggested, was of secondary importance. He offered a winking acknowledgment to skeptics who believed that a presidential debate would be less of a chance for frank discussion of the financial mess than a chance for both candidates to score points off the issue.
Many voters admire McCain for the distaste for politics embodied in his "country first" slogan. But his decision to suspend the campaign, and the subsequent scenes of him marching through the Capitol from meeting to meeting, may also have revived questions about his impatience and go-it-alone manner.
McCain's critics were quick to point to a TV interview in which he suggested he hadn't read President Bush's bailout proposal -- a bare-bones statement that runs no more than two-and-a-half pages and came out last weekend.
Peggy Noonan, the former speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan, noted in the Wall Street Journal that McCain and Obama had reversed the stereotypes of their ages: "It's the older man who was dramatic and impetuous, the younger man who was deliberative and temperate," she wrote.
Indeed, there's something about big moments and potential crises that brings out a glacial calm in Obama; leadership, in his view, implies steadiness.
Like McCain, Obama's approach to handling crises is deeply rooted in his personality and in the image he seeks to cultivate: Sometimes criticized for his thousand-yard stare, Obama prides himself on taking the long view. Abraham Lincoln is his hero in part for that president's ability to rise above even the most dire problems.
Obama said that injecting himself into the negotiations over the proposed $700 billion bailout would only complicate things.
Rather than travel to Washington, Obama approached McCain last week for a joint statement of support for the negotiating process; Obama issued five principles that he believed the final agreement should follow but otherwise reserved judgment.
Obama seemed content to continue campaigning while the news became increasingly dominated by the battle in Washington. That wasn't a surprise. During the primaries, he was willing to disappear from view for stretches.
In debates with more than a half-dozen other Democrats, he rarely made dramatic statements or sought to draw sharp contrasts with other candidates. He seemed to believe that his low-key performance would communicate thoughtfulness and consistency. And to an extent it did: Obama's stolid demeanor -- which many saw as presidential -- was his best refutation of claims that he lacked experience.
In the ongoing negotiations over the financial bailout, Obama has stuck by his insistence that the final agreement must help homeowners and "Main Street," more than Wall Street. But otherwise he has done little to draw attention to himself. Whether this is leadership or its opposite is a question for voters.
Likewise, whether McCain's so-far-fruitless intervention communicates urgency or merely impulsiveness is almost certainly on the minds of those wondering who would be best to lead the country.
A true leader keeps his/her head while everyone else is losing theirs.
How can any team do anything unless they follow an example of calmness and work the problem?
James, The Life of John McCain is drawing to a close, we don't want a president in office who will fall over from fatigue when the going gets rough, and it will. The Senator has had his chance to make things right, but has chosen the path of least resistance: The path of seeming righteousness; this is not to put him down, this is the best he can do. No one is about to place their eggs in a basket with a hole in it.
C.Wakefield.
Victoria, B.C. Canada.
If McCain cannot "lead" his own party in a time of national economic crisis, how can he "lead' this nation?
I'd go with the steady one any time, any day.
I'll take thoughfulness any time. We have had 8 years of no thought at all about critical war and peace issues and that is long enough to pursue crisis managment. I will take Obama and his approach.
You call this "Anlysis"?, did it cross your mind that this was just a tranparent example of premeditated posturing so that feeble minded "analysts" could fall like babes for the idea that this is how he would "govern"?
very one side point of view, no doubt author is a liberal.
hi i think john macain did what he should have did .off course the other side will disagree.
I will just say the candidate who votes for the bailout will lose my vote. and if they both vote for it I hope Nader runs.
"...styles on view"?
Hmmm. "on view" as in "on display"?
Maybe I'm not getting it.
He is now known as John "the stuntman" McGimmick
Not enough information yet to know which candidate's actions/ non-actions contribute to a successful outcome. The news media has done an insufficient job of explaining what the proposed legistation terms & provisions includes and what is at stake with each of them. One things for sure, McCain took action to go to DC and get involved in the process to ensure that the correct thing was done. Obama, after saying it wasn't necessary to drop campaigining and go to DC.... stopped campaigning and went to DC.
Very well stated. Other analysts have mentioned that Obama campaign's positions on the economy haven't needed to change as much as "The fundamentals of the economy are strong" McCain and his former senior economics advisor "Nation of whiners" Phil Gramm (whose wife was on the board of directors of Enron while Gramm was pushing for deregulating the energy industry). It doesn't surprise me. McCain is just trying to outshout his campaign's previous erroneous statements on the economy and his penchant for supporting deregulation in the wrong ways for the wrong industries.
Lets face it: the debate is over, and Obama won. Hooray! At least according to what the majority of the mainstream media is preparing to report. The media will buy into every Democratic talking point sent out, and even make up some new ones on their own. Obama doesn't have to do anything other than just stand up and open his mouth.
why can't we have a liberal party conservative party and moderate party and maybe even other parties to represent other views? instead of just 2 parties representing the upper class.
This is an interesting take on the situation, the first one I've seen on this note. The primary take from the left was that McCain's numbers were down and this was an opportunity for him to suspend the slide (which doesn't make sense, you don't quit when you are losing...). The take from the right was that McCain's priorities were "in order". Similarly the take on actual position, from the left, seems to be that McCain is interfering in the process and using it as a way to look more distant from Bush. From the right, it's more along the lines of 'fighting socialism' and the good old boy system.
It's good to see another perspective. It's not so good that the author stopped his analysis at a rather partisanly transparent point, and failed to take his train of thought to the obvious next level on either the Obama or the McCain side. Is an analytical reader really to believe there wasn't a heck of a lot of advisorial input into both candidates decisions? Is an analytical reader really expected to stay as shallow us just the first layer of perception and then be impressed by thinking that goes one layer deeper in the onion without laying out even a framework of an absolute perspective?
On the other hand, should the point of the article been spin for Obama and an impeachment of McCain's judgment, that purpose was masterfully accomplished.
The real sad thing about the economic meltdown isn't McCain or Obama it is those two inept senators Barnie Frank and Chris Dodd. They are both architects of this mess and go on camera posing that they are the ones to solve it. Both should be thrown in jail along with the executives and CEO's of the failing companies. Maybe only then will these people get the clue that we are fed up and not all of us are stupid enough to believe their charade anymore.
Got Votes Anyone?
obama's reluctance to get his hands dirty is indicative of all talk, no experience background. what would you expect from a Jr Senator with less than 2 years experience. I cant see how anyone in their right mind would put someone with no management experience in charge of our great country. if elected be afraid
MCain is simply doing a show;; he is not part of the negotiation and cannot even rally his party to support the republican Pres.; he has no input in this and claims he has not even read the proposed bill at all.
Wasn't the negotiations progressing smoothly until McCain blew into town? If eyewitness reports are to be believed he than sat there like a potted plant??
Is am very worried that the stress of the campaign is making McCain unstable.
It's funny how a campaign comes down to personality, once again. The tendency of media pundits to pick apart psyches more than they report on both sides of an issue is why most people don't trust journalists. We laud the calm demeanor in military leaders because it prevents large-scale massacres of our own. But you trash Sen. Obama's well thought out ways while applauding the volatile nature of a man known for outrageous, and highly ugly, verbiage and retaliation. Could we please, for once, and for the rest of this racist, sexist, ageist, highly suspect contest, focus on what matters to this nation now: the economy, rising health care costs, the shrinking middle class, education and the safety of our troops and the homeland.
You only missed this: During the crisis like this, for Obama, politics as usual. Look at how big of an impact our country, the world and the people would have to endure, the debate is nothing. McCain is not saying that he won't do it, he just said let's put if off for a little while. And the Democrats are quick to say that this is a political stun. McCain is a Senor, it is his job and duty to be at WA to help whatever he can. To argue that he SHOULDN'T be there is absurd. Harry Reid last week needed McCain to help and this week said McCain came to spoil the deal. He said McCain hasn't been voting enough, and then he said coming here is not helpful. What exactly is he saying? If this is not politics as usual, what is?
The delaying of the debate was just another example of Senator McCain's "Country First" policy.
The Constitution provides a solution for citizens fed up with government. The solution is impeachment and Republicans frown on the term with the thought it is for Democrats only. Our founding forefathers had wisdom to give the people the power to investigate those who operate wrecklessly and in violation of the law. We deserve an investigation into all wrongdoings and if found guilty those persons should be held accountable.
Nice analysis of McCain the impulsive commander versus Obama the methodical strategist.
McCain appears to be a great guy, but I'm afraid his lack of organization will affect him most of all. Based on simply organization and planning, Obama should win it.
Obama stands head and shoulder above McCain. You can't solve complex problems facing the country impulsively. It required careful thinking, awareness of varying and conflicting interests of the various sections of the society and determination to act judiciously and patiently. It is not like attacking an identfiable foreign enemy head on. Obama is far better suited for this task than McCain.
I find it hard to take McCain's "rushing" to Washington seriously. He's the last man to deal with this crisis since it is of his own making. As a member of the Keating Five, McCain led the way in the deregulation of the S&L industry in the early 80s--laying the foundation for today's total collapse of the system.
This is Horrible, the McCain "call it off" was nothing, but a scam he went on to do a TV interview and eat. Then when he finally did get to congress he caused problems and stalled negations. Finally when he got word that his tactic was hurting his campaign he agreed to do the debate with Obama. McCain was doing nothing but grandstanding as all the youtube videos show.
I thought the New York Times and Washington Post were the main Obama supporters but I'm learning it's the media in general. Every article I read has a subtle to obnoxious lean toward Obama. Enough already! McCain is running against Obama and the biased media. Completely unfair and unconscionable. You all should be ashamed of yourselves!
Obama is the man for the job we need some one that is steady and able to do the job at hand.McCAIN do not show the leadership that we need at this time in our country.
At The end the wise old man manages to get to the debate and also was able to focus at the financial crisis, being a democrat my whole life I'm now sure M'Cain is the better one to run this country out of this mess
Although this love letter to McCain is (almost) disguised at news, I'm going to be one of the many to call his intentions anything but honorable. The public saw that no progress was made by his presence, the campaign should have known that no progress would be made by his presence, and it's far from fortunate that McCain will try and spin his "diversion" as anything but a waste of time and private jet fuel; let alone try and convince the public that he had done something honorable.
Obama is the best person for president. He has show steady leadership and willingness to solve problems thoughfully. That makes me feel confident. John McCain has proven himself to be impulsive and hasty in decision making. I wouldn't want him near the " red button" in a time of crisis.
You are just the sort of person JM counts on. I want a president that can do more than one thing at a time, think about more than one issue at a time, and that can do what needs to be done (the right thing) rather than pandering to the current whims of politics. Some how you got this backwards. How much a year do you make?
no-way, no-bama
guy won't take a position on anything, mccain said he'd vote for the rescue plan, obama did the typical lawyer word dance
BONUS FOR AMERICA: Mccain's not a lawyer, lawyers are killing this country
As always I am amazed at the so called objective media bias in this campaign. There is no objectivity whatsoever but an all out promotion of the candidacy of the candidate of the Democratic Party.
It matters not how many lies, distortions and outright fabrications that the Obama campaign makes they are never challenged by the so called objective journalistic community. He gets a pass on everything and you have the gall to try to tell us that we do not have the intelligence to understand what is occurring daily on the media's
campaigns for Senator Obama.
You are biased in favor of the Democratic candidate so at least have the honesty and integrity to admit it. There many things that I do not agree with Senator McCain on and do not particular care for the
negative ads of either party but at least I know that and admit it so please do the same.
That is reaction to you so called "objective journalism."
McCain has just won my vote. The man has answers. Obama did not .
John McCain won the debate tonight "hands down". All educated and thinking voters saw him as a man with experience, education, needed skills, et al., etc., that we require in our President... therefore. he will be elected our next President of the United States...God Bless America.
There would not have even been a first debate if Obama hadn't pressed for it to still take place. McCain is all show, he says one thing and his record shows he does the complete opposite. He was not needed in DC to "save the economy" he isn't going to be needed, McCain and Bush are the reason why are economy tanked in the first place hello? Hire the pyro to put out the blaze that was once your house? the blaze he and his friends started? Electing McCain would be like hiring the guy who shot you do the surgery to remove the bullet. Obama not only proved he is smart enough and ready enough to be our President tonight, but that he gets things DONE, he showed up!
John McCain clearly illustrated that his foreign poicy experience was far superior to Obama's (he doesn't have any) tonight. Obama was completely lost during the foreign policy discussion and was uncomfortable with the line of questioning. He was clear, concise and confident. He clearly got under Obama's skin a number of times. Obama is the same old left wing liberal trying to disguise his ultra-liberal, blame-America beliefs. McCain won this debate tonight hands down.
The American media is about as objective as the American economy is strong right now...At least FOX News makes no pretenses about having a right-wing bias, but it is ridiculous when virtually every major American newspaper and every other network "tries" to be objective, but they end up being as objective as a die-hard Sox fan is with his/her feelings towards the Yankees...
What worries me the most is McCains knee-jerk reaction to things. He reacts to things as opposed to responding to them. Big difference. I just sense that he's basing his decisions and his actions on what he thinks will make him more revered (which he already is) and not on what he feels in his heart to be right. The other issue I have, I'm afriad, is that he is trying to win the top job of the USA when he is WAY past normal retirement age. I have a problem with his age only b/c he wants to be President. I do sincerely respect him, but not for Pres!
The country would clearly be in better hands with either McCain or Obama. Both are capable. What worries me is that Palin is clearly not up to the job. Interviews with her have convinced me that she, like Bush, does not have the capacity to manage the job. If McCain's health fails, the country will be back where it is now, with someone at the helm who doesn't know the sea well enough to keep us from sinking in a storm. I'm leaning toward Obama.
McCain won "hands down?"! Check the Fact Checkers. He didn't even get the Eisenhower story right; and he's a military guy.
John McCain is heinous in every way. If he's not lying, he's wrong. And he certainly isn't Presidential.
I was surprised how the debate's undertone was stability/experience vs. change/vision. It was a bit like watching my father and brother go at it. How does someone choose between his Dad (who has simply lived life longer and tends to be wiser) or his brother (who is his peer and wants an America for his generation too!)? I kind of wished "Mom" (aka Hillary) jumped in during the debate and declared that the world needs both stability and change!!
McCain is a strand of the fabric of 'old politics'. I don't believe his presents in Washington would have made any difference whatsoever. His moves are purely motivated by politics and how he can gain votes. I think Obama has come through these crisis as a true leader that can serve American people by hashing out the complexity of the issue in hand and offer decisive direction, rather than hiding behind close doors.
Obama trying to act the part, McCain being the part, unafriad to be himself. I trust that more than someone who sounds polished and has the right answer and tries to "look good". I like authenticity! Obama has waffled on the issues that define people. ie when life begins, "above my pay grade". You know where Bush stands, like it or not. In my opinion, most politicians are afraid to take a stand on contentious issues as that can be defining and lose votes. Bush has nothing to gain from staying committed to Iraq. Why would he stay in there? What is there to gain now after all these years , but to keep his word.
To all Obamanauts: No Way No How NOBama - No Biden. John McCain is the more experienced of the 2 candidates. OBama is fake and he is not even eligible to run for President nor is he even close to being qualified. We'll see John and Cindy McCain as the President elect and future first Lady on November 5th. The Dems nominate another weak candidate and lose AGAIN! Go McCain!!!!
John McCain made it so apparent last night in the first debate that when the pervebial "_____" hits the fan, he is the one we will want to lead this country. His lifetime of experiences and the wisdom he brings to the table are just what we need. Obama is an empty suit and it scares me that we could have him as the leader of the greatest, most powerful county on this planet. Decisive action based on a command of history and experience is what we need and what we will get with McCain.
Of course McCain has more knowledge and is more ready to talk easily about the nuances of complex foreign policy situations. He's been at it for 25 more years. But it is easier to talk about them than to search your soul and the soul of this country and then do the right thing for America and the world. And then for the world to want to actually work with you towards the solutions rather than against you. For a number of reasons, Obama is the better person for that job.
McCain's faux "suspension" of his campaign was fairly pathetic. The news about Sarah Palin was all bad, the polls were trending against him, to McCain that was time for a desperate publicity stunt. Never mind that his ads kept airing, funds kept being raised, offices kept working, the effect and the buzz was all that McCain cared about. In a contest as to who seems steady and consistent, McCain lost badly to Barack Obama, who seems unflappable. Ask yourself, who do you want in the White House, someone who spins out of control and engages in grandstanding, or someone who works to solve problems? I may be old fashioned, but I'd rather the soap operas would stay on daytime television. And those stories about what Ronald Reagan told him? Spare me. We have a world to put back in order, with no time to reminisce about the good old days. Sometimes McCain seems nostalgic for the Cold War, when big armies and big leaders could threaten each other. Been there, done that, time to try something new and improved. Thanks John, but no thanks, for that Bridge to the Past.
Sorry Lance K, I bet you do not know who is behind John McCain and George Bush.That's why there are so many people still confused.
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