Analysis: McCain intense, Obama maybe too cool

McCain was trying to poke fun of Obama's policies, but the amount of detail he used ended up educating us about Obama's policies. He, then, never left time to actually explain his own policies. Also, I heard this "too cool" and lack of passion bit from someone on TV two minutes after the debate. Repeating other journalists is always easier than offering a wide variety of "analysis" it seems. He was deliberately not passionate; this was a debate, not a rally! How about a thorough analysis of their differing views on education or the mortgage relief plans - not the typical surface-level perceptions that will be repeated en masse tomorrow.

Obama repeated many of what McCain said on different issues during this debate, as well he did it before. He joust spoke with different mimics, accents, etc. He also transformed moderator's questions into answers. Unlike McCain who apologize for aggressiveness at some of Republican meetings toward Obama, Obama did not do the same. He allows himself to be rude and offensive toward his opponents, whether it Sen. Clinton or McCain. His pose, smiles during McCain answers were very arrogant. What is important, that despite McCain flaws, he is much more trustworthy than Obama with all his rhetoric and "cool" appearance.

It look like panic stations for McCain. He must have felt that loud noises might get him out of the trouble that he is in. Well no matter. Screaming and shouting may have its place but not in a debate.

McCain sounded shrill and desperate to the point of being a little painful to watch. It would have been interesting to see Obama play it even cooler, being even more patient in contrast to McCain's carping old hen routine.

people are not looking for an erratic president and a vice president who went to 5 different colleges we want a presidential controlled leader who doesnt change who he is for one night of debate - you saw how tense and resentful mccain was in spite of his plastic smile.

I have to repeat a quip I hear tonight from other pundits debating one another on the subject of the debate......"you must have watched a different debate than I did". You are obviously a partisan. This: "McCain may have taken some wind from Obama's sails early on by forcefully distancing himself from President Bush, quipping Obama was four years too late to run against Bush; McCain's line seemed to take half of Obama's playbook -- the half designed to tie McCain to Bush -- out of commission." Most of us who are casting our votes for Obama understand that no matter how much McCain tries to distance himself from the Cheney/Rove/Bush administration.....he cannot do so. He has been a well documented supporter of most of this so-called administration's policy. Most of which has benefitted: The very wealthy, The Military Industrial Complex, Big Oil, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. Not to mention the largesse doled out to Pakistan (read that Musharref), India and any other cheap labor nation that big American corporations can export jobs to and avoid paying taxes to the common good to boot. This is now considered "patriotic" by many in our nation. McCain is more of the same old crap and most of us know it. I believe his personal agenda is to win the Vietnam War. At any cost...and for however long it takes. McCain's economic policy??? All I've heard is that American workers are the most productive in the world. And the best in the world. Then why had he supported shipping good paying American jobs overseas over and over again? Free Trade? Please. Free tax holiday for any corporate entity that can ship the most jobs overseas to China or India..thats what McCain supports and always has. What about Charles Keating? Lets talk about scandals John. 26 years in the Senate and suddenly he's a maverick? How dumb do you think the rest of the populice is? McCain stunk tonight. Obama was cool because he knows that most of us have figured out John McCain. And we don't want anymore of the same thing we've been getting for the past 8 years. No Third Term for Cheney/Bush!

I have a lot of respect for your opinions, so I can't accept that you really believe McCain's performance may have been effective. You're joking, right?

Considering your mention of the "manic exchange" in the previous line, that conclusion would be a insult to the intelligence of the voters. And, of course, the polls will show otherwise.

McCain lost badly, with his lies and distortions.

For those who've had to, at some point, deal with a violent personality, you'll recognize the rage that burns within Sen. McCain. We saw it in Sen. McCain's eyes. It was there too with Sen. McCain's spitting sarcasm. Those of us who've dealt with a violent personality are also the ones who recognize the comfort that Sen. Obama provided...a peaceful presence. Some of us know the blessing it is to have the calm of a person like Sen. Obama. It is with great peace in my heart; and my honor to cast my vote for you Sen. Obama. Thank you...from all victims of violence.

I totally agree. McCain looked tense and nevervous, but Obama had too much of a smirk on his face. He seemed was too confident. It isn't over, until it is over. Now is not the time to get cocky.

Sorry, but WRONG. McCain last night was a desperate (read: angry, grumpy, and YES, erratic - the most concerning to the holder of the highest position in the world - man. He stepped right into the trap and revealed himself as just another desperate politician staring down the eyes of imminent defeat. The biggest distinction that will stick with the all imoprtant independent voter in America: McCain is desperate to win an election (at all costs), while Obama is desperate to put the country back on track. Politics is all about perception and McCain lost in this arena, too. Flip him over, he's done.

The red will overshadow the blue by a campaign of deception.
The black man will appear to overcome the red party.
And those of the blue party shall be left with the sad drone.
And the blues shall go in mourning with the pallbearers thus carrying the martyr.
Thus the reds would not have said black man but the abominations.

Nostradamus.

I'm not sure how McCain gains points by being "intense". Every time McCain made an assertion against Obama's policies, like health care, taxes, or abortion, Obama responded with clear defenses of his policy that made McCain look foolish. In the end Obama was able to point out the flaws in McCain's policies and defend his own far better than his opponent, while McCain spent most of his time launching inaccurate attacks which were quickly rebuffed. As soon as Obama stated that the American people were far more interested in their respective stances on the issues instead of needless slander, McCain proceeded to bring up Bill Ayers. The coolness played into Obama's hand. This debate goes to Obama's advantage

TEN WORST REASONS TO VOTE FOR OBAMA

There may be some decent reasons to vote for Obama, but the following are not some of them. These are the ten worst reasons to vote for Obama.

Worst Reason 1: To Punish George W. Bush. Come next January, Bush is leaving (and so is Cheney), no matter what. Put your anger at the last administration aside, and focus on choosing between Obama and McCain.

Worst Reason 2: To Prove You’re Not A Racist. No one’s ever called you a racist before, and maybe you’ve never thought much about whether you’re racist. Maybe you just go about your daily activities and treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. However, lately you’ve been feeling guilty and self-conscious over your views of the White candidate versus the African-American candidate. Don’t worry; you’re not considered “guilty of racism until proven innocent.” Not voting for Obama doesn’t make you a racist. If you want, prove to yourself that you’re not a racist by scrupulously avoiding discriminatory thoughts and deeds. Vote for the candidate of your own choice.

Worst Reason 3: Your Children or Grandchildren Tell You to Vote for Obama. Oh, please…what do they know? Like they know better than you.

Worst Reason 4: To Restore the USA’s Reputation. Here you have to ask yourself, which candidate is more narcissistic? Which candidate adopted his own presidential seal? Which candidate erected a backdrop of Greek columns for his acceptance speech? Which candidate wrote two autobiographies before he had even done anything noteworthy? Which candidate choreographed every moment of his Obamapalooza foreign campaign tour? Which candidate declared in Berlin that now is the moment that we should remake the world? I would look to someone a little more humble and down-to-earth if you think the USA’s reputation needs to be restored.

Worst Reason 5: Obama’s Going to Win Anyway. Supposedly, a person feels better about himself or herself after the election if he or she voted for the winner. This supposedly causes people to vote for the candidate that is ahead in the polls. This year, however, the polls may be more unreliable than ever before. Internet polls are biased toward internet users, phone polls are biased away from cell phone users, and polls may be biased toward what the interviewee thinks the interviewer wants to hear. McCain may be a lot closer to winning than the polls would indicate. The rancor in this election has been surprising; the impact of the silent majority may also be surprising. Vote for the candidate that you want to win.

Worst Reason 6: Obama is Transcendent. Sometimes you have to look closely to see the truth in packaging. Given Obama’s mixed-race heritage, unconventional upbringing and soaring rhetoric, he appears to be transcendent. Then you find out that he won his first election by having all of his opponents thrown off the ballot, that he founded his political career on exploitative associations that he disavowed as soon as politically necessary, that he promised to stay within federal campaign spending limits until he decided not to, that he’s been a lifelong Christian yet says clinging to religion is a salve for bitterness, that his tax break for 95% of taxpayers is a check drawn on the other 5% of taxpayers, etc. A better example of a transcendent candidate may be one who suffered through the worst mistreatment mankind has to offer, yet was among the first to reopen relations with the enemy that mistreated him.

Worst Reason 7: For Change. This is the mantra for voters who want to think as little as possible about who to vote for. Is the default mode voting for Obama? Is voting for Obama a presumption that must be overcome in order to vote for McCain? You owe it to yourself to think beyond this oversimplification, and carefully consider what changes you want and who is more likely to effect it.

Worst Reason 8: Terrorism Isn’t That Much of a Threat. We’ve prevented terrorist attacks on the United States since 9/11; however, this prevention has been profoundly costly in lives sacrificed, dollars spent, and civil liberties infringed. It is tempting to reason that there hasn’t been any terrorism in seven years; therefore we should elect the candidate most likely to reverse these costly policies. Unfortunately, the world is still very dangerous, and reversing the policies that have prevented attacks may make the United States a victim of its own success.

Worst Reason 9: Because of Palin. Yes, some of the candidates in this election would be stronger if they had a few more years’ political experience at the national or international level. And yes, some theorize that McCain picked Palin to appeal politically to one demographic or another. But maybe McCain picked her not for her symbolic value, but for what she’s actually done: negotiated better deals from oil companies for her citizens, launched investigations of members of her own party, served on the energy commission in one of the largest energy-producing states in the country, and aggressively managed city and state budgets. In these respects, McCain’s selecting her meshes with his concerns for government spending and accountability. And if you didn’t like Palin’s interviews, try to remember that actions speak louder than words.

Worst Reason 10: Because McCain Sold Out to the Republican Party. Maybe you liked McCain better when his love-hate relationship with the Republican Party was just hate-hate. However, you shouldn’t blame McCain because we have a two-party system. Because of the money and resources required to mount an effective campaign, no one has a chance to win a presidential election if he or she is not a major-party candidate. Ultimately, politics, campaigning and governing is all about compromise. It doesn’t make sense to vote for Obama because McCain has a less cozy relationship with Republicans than Obama has with Democrats. It makes more sense to vote for the candidate who has put his country ahead of his party.

There you have the ten worst reasons to vote for Obama.

...Or not. Were you watching a different debate? McCain seemed far too angry and out of it for me to trust him with delicate diplomacy. Or with spending my tax money for that mater.

Clearly, you heard what you wanted to hear. McCain couldn't have looked more juvenile. McCain not only lost his last chance to make a positive impression, but cheapened himself and his service to the counrty. He claims to put "country first", but clearly its John first and his ambitions.

Congratulations President Obama

Certainly you don't believe McCain won. He seemed once again like a brash, angry
old man. His policies only help the rich, his health care plan is a joke, along with the extension of Bush's tax cuts. keeping the rich rich has all but been proven not to work. We the middle class consuming is what creates more jobs, for years now we kept our corporations rich and look where that got us. Wake up! unregulated capitalism has never worked in the history of countries lasting more than 400 hundred years. Do your homework, don't take my word for it.

I don't know what side of the fence u r looking from mate but can't figure how McCain won the debate. He did not inspire me with confidence and he focused a bit too much on Obama personally, so much so he could not hide his contempt for the man. It's like ...''How dare you run against me'', he was negative in his countenance and his comments. He struggled and it was painful to watch.

Full steam ahead, Obama!

Your analysis of the 'Joe' issue is strange to say the least.
Logically, Obama is spot on, and Mccain is grasping for straws in the middle of the ocean.
The more you earn, the more you pay....
If Joe's not earning that much now, then nothing changes. infact he gains more from the big fish...
Painfully explained by Obama, it's just simple directly proportional mathenatics.
I'm thinking of changing my car for something bigger. it cost more, hence i pay more for licensing et al.... same principle. the income to tax ratio should be the key thing and i don't see that being an issue...but that's just me.

The title of this column is Political Intelligence--satire, right?

What you read as "intense" in McCain the vast majority of us see as anger and bitterness. He cannot hide his contempt for Obama, a man who is calm in the face of adversity, who can see the anger and the bitterness and not stoop to reacting to it but rather formulates intelligent answers. McCain seems incapable of expressing any policy, of expressing what he will do should he become president. He keeps spewing froth behind which there is no substance. He is the man if you want to keep feeding the lobbyists and the CEOs--the biggest threat this country has seen and to who it has yielded. He is the man if you are vengeful and trying to relive the "good old days" when you are confronted with your fears of all that has been lost over the past 8 years.

If the US is saddled with McCain, as they have saddled themselves with Bush, the country is sunk. It doesn't have to do with whether McCain or Obama are good or evil men. It has to do with whether they have the temperament and insight to move the US into the future and cut its losses. The US needs to rebuild where greed and avarice and the ever unquenched lust for power have destroyed. The US population needs to work each with the other to build a new more just world and leave behind any sense of entitlement. The US needs to be willing to leave fear behind and don courage to enter a new world

I agree with Ojo, McCain is uninspiring and I agree with Rick that he is still trying to win the Vietnam War. It is time for McCain to retire to one of the myriad of houses he owns. And Voter4, given the convoluted way you hope to change some minds, I'd love to see your arguments used on McCain, it would be vastly amusing,but I have no desire to give another thought to McCain. Go Obama.

"McCain's performance wasn't friendly or gracious; but it may have been effective."

You wish; people are not as dumb as you think. . .

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS ON HIS WAY!
OBAMA FLOATED LIKE A BUTTERFLY AND MC CAIN STUNG LIKE AN ANGRY BEE!

"McCain lost the election even before he started his campaing for the following reason. As Senator McCain has showed his unbalanced state of emotions,character,anger, and the explosiveness of his temper. I just can't imagine McCain as president and dealing with the major issues and contraversies of the office. His erratic swings of temper can jeopardize his process to make logical decisions to resolve critical issues. He acts like a spolied child when things are not going his way".

As an independent watching this debate it felt that McCain didn't close the deal. One point that came accross as a little troubling was when they discussed a compensation discrimination case where a female worker was paid less than man. Obama communicated that this issue was unfair and needed to be addressed while in response McCain dismissed this specific case sighting statute of limitations or something, and didnt elaborate further, implying that he is cool with feamles getting paid less for the same job a man would be paid.

I greatly hope to see Sen Obama made president. I believe along with the positive policies he will implement, his appointment will be an inspiration to many young black americans. The republican campaign has been (at best) embarassing to watch, focusing on defamation of Obamas character rather than outlining their policies to get America back on track. Being a UK resident watching the presidential election intently, I cannot imagine a worse advocate for the USA that John McCain (or Sarah Palin for that matter). He quite literally comes across as an angry old man. The USA, better yet, the world does not need a leader like that!

Obama has a tough job ahead of him, and its probably going to get worse before it gets better - but he is definitely the right man for the job.

i am watching with very keen attention the role of the media in this saga playing out. i must say that the media has slowly but definately been tilting to a one sided campain of colunmny against a movement that is going on. a debate is meant to elicit issue discussion and not the hanky panky of attacks and slanders.
i truelly believe that when you re-analyse your write up u will chastise yourself for taking side and lack of objectivity. the press should face the facts and stop twisting situations with words.

This is a very accurate description of what happened last night...even though many blinded people will confuse the facts. If you all want Barack Hussein Obama in office...go ahead and then you'll be crying for your freedom in 2 years. You'll be saying, "We used to have a Free America, a government that allowed people to become successful when it WAS the land of opportunity...now that's all gone to hell in a handbasket." That's what everyone will be saying because of the lack of integrity American's have and the lack of ability to discern that B.O. is wanting to hand out welfare checks to his chrone's....WAKE UP and smell the corruption. Chicago has THE MOST corrupt government in the whole country and he is the fruit of corruption...he is the fruit of 20 years of mentoring and being grilled with the voice of hatred for this country and the abolition of Jews. Michelle said it herself...I am finally liking American??? That is a clear indication of her rage towards this beautiful country that was.

McCain is an angry old man with more houses and cars than he can count and an ego the size of the US deficit. His choice of running mate highlights his erratic thinking and continuous short term political ploys to try and con voters. Its time for a change from this cronyism. McCain looked angry and desperate and lost the debate. No question.

The debate I watched featured two guys who did ok, but the substance was very different. Obama was most articulate and positive when explaining his proposals. It looked like he had really thought through the issues and had a plan. He was much more composed, looked presidential and strikes me as very intelligent. McCain didn't talk much about his plans and was confusing at times. His health care numbers in particular just don't add up. He seemed flustered. So I thought Obama "won" the debate, especially by the end, but I do think he missed an opportunity. When accused of class warfare or redistributing the wealth, he could have pointed out that he was just trying to correct the large redistribution that has occured over the last several years. Incidentally, I thought this moderator did the best job of the three.
Sis

McCain was nervous sarcastic erratic and more than once just rude in his brushing aside both moderator and Obama just to have his say. He is soo upset that I will not be voting for him anymore. He needs to check himself.

IF AMERICA ELECTS JOHN McCAIN IT DESERVES HIM

A CHOICE BETWEEN COGNITION AND INCOGNITION.....YOUR CHOICE!!!!

I listened to the debate on the radio so I couldn't see facial expressions, but I felt Obama did a good job countering McCain's attacks. Obama made less attacks on McCain, which helped him because he focused more on his campaign. When asked the questions I felt Obama did a better job than McCain answering them. As an undecided independent voter this debate was slightly better than the other two debates but not something I would base my final decision on.

If McCain is going to lose - and it looks like he is - then maybe it's time to show some dignity. He was hit himself by the Rove tactics and is doing exactly the same himself. This Ayers stuff is pathetic

I am from the UK,

I hope Sen Obama wins, otherwise it will be the same old rubbish for another 4 years. Some Americans have been moaning for 8 years now, Bush was crap in his first term yet you decided to let him stay for another.

McCain is no different to Bush, slightly more educated? and that's saying a lot. But he had to put ina quip about the English health system in his arguments didnt he? nothing wrong with ours, hey it's free and we dont have the same health problems ans you do. SO McCain before you talk about things you do not know or understand . . be it Joe the "plumber" or other countries, think about what you are saying. As for Palin, don't get me started, I was excited to hear about the woman McCain had briefly met once, then I started hearing and reading things about her, man she's trouble, yeah it's good to see women in politics, but she also gives off a negetive vibe.

I cannot believe, some people are saying they wont vote for Obama because his middle name is Hussein or he's a muslim, or is that disctracting from something else about him? oh yeah you dont mind a black president on TV or the movies, you love WIll Smith or Morgan Freeman as the hero, but in real life, HELL NO. I've even read on some American blogs that they agree with Obama and trust his policies, they cannot find fault, but they can in McCain, but for the sake of the country they will vote Republican, now how the hell does that make sense. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

If McCain does get in power, and nothing changes then you have no one to blame except yourself!

I am from the Netherlands.

Through the lines on Obama speeches, it is a fact that he is hessitating more and more on what he is saying.

Obama will say now many things, but if in government, he will do other.
For Obama, Campaign is something, governing is something else!
Remember, for America to win and succeed, John McCain is your choice!Ia