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AmSpecBlog
A Solid Win for McCain
I write this as the conservative pundit who has been the single harshest critic of the McCain ticket's debate performances, and for that matter of their entire campaign performances. I wrote that McCain lost the first debate. I wrote that Palin lost her debate. I wrote that McCain lost the second debate. I wrote that McCain has mishandled his response to the economic crisis. And I wrote a whole lot of other criticisms of McCain. So this isn't the analysis of a cheerleader, not one bit. But this independent-minded observer thinks that John McCain achieved a solid victory in tonight's debate.
It wasn't a knockout by any means. McCain missed some opportunities. He didn't hit Obama's lack of experience. He didn't hit the divided government issue. He didn't QUITE close the deal entirely on judges or on abortion, although he did well on both. But he won. Oh yes, John McCain won. He was real; Obama was a politician so deliberately unflappable that the unflappability for hte first time looked fake, like a put-on. McCain was on the offense without being offensive; Obama was on the defensive without being entirely convincing. McCain said some memorable things while Obama said nothing memorable. McCain scored big hits on vouchers and on spending and on accountability and on taxes. Obama sounded like a guy getting lost in the details rather than using details to make a clear point.
And McCain's deep love of country showed through, especially in his debate closing statement. Finally, his slip of the lip in calling Obama "Senator Government" was terrific because it was so CLEARLY unintentional (McCain was going to say the word "government" just two words later in the sentence; it was obviously a mistake, but in this case a Freudian slip that made the opponent, not the slip-maker, look bad, because it was so obviously appropriate) and yet such a perfect description of what Obama offers.
Okay, I interrupt this to say that I just watched Frank Luntz' focus group. Luntz said it showed Obama won. I am a huge believer in Luntz' abilities and usually take his word as near-political gospel, but I heard something different from his group. I heard a clear subtext from several of the group (especially the men) that they were coming around to McCain's side but just weren't ready to commit. Their words did not match the simple "up-or-down" conclusion that Luntz asked them for. (In other words, they said they were still undecided, but the actual explanations of their feelings were pro-McCain.)
Anyway, back to the analysis: I thought McCain showed an undeniable command of what he was talking about. It wasn't always eloquent, not by any means, but he NEVER came across as being too old; instead, he came across as wise and feisty.
It's still an uphill battle for McCain, because he didn't land a knockout blow and had only one truly memorable line ("SenatorGovernment"), rather than a Reaganesque line that will be played over and over again for the next 30 years. But McCain started a comeback tonight, and gave him a chance to claw himself back into the match before reaching the finish line. Obama, meanwhile, lost a little bit of his air of invincibility. Short version: McCain won.
Comments
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Obamarx| 10.15.08 @ 11:01PM
I came here to read the bad news. I'm pleasantly surprised.
WishfulThinking| 10.15.08 @ 11:13PM
Another grumpy old man performance by McCain. Go ahead and wish that he won. Then come to your senses. McBush is finished.
84Hoya| 10.15.08 @ 11:14PM
McCain did well for about 20 minutes, but he then settled for throwing everything but Joe the Plumber's toolbelt into the fray instead of staying on topic.
History will not judge this campaign well.
Patriot| 10.15.08 @ 11:15PM
What debate did you watch? McCain got stomped. He is a grumpy old man with 20th century ideas. He got schooled.
Saki| 10.15.08 @ 11:17PM
Again you come to the exact opposite conclusion that reality provides. McCain came across as a desperate old fart with nothing but old Bush policy or negative attachs.
Americans need and deserve a better leader that has pro-active solutions that will get us from A to B. You know what I am talking about. McCain is finished.
Christine | 10.15.08 @ 11:23PM
Mccain did great. He had Obama on the defencive the whole time.
Ben| 10.15.08 @ 11:25PM
Absolutely insane. McCain got stomped. Honestly, as someone who is not leaning either way, McCain had an awful performance. He just looked like a flustered angry old man.
ashby| 10.15.08 @ 11:33PM
Quin - spot on. McCain acted Presidential while O'Bama acted as Asst. Secretary of whatever Dept the issue pertained to - Type A personality versus Type C or D. the subliminal message (lost to wonks like those on Fox News) to voters like those in Luntz's group is McCain is Presidential timber while O'Bama still a sapling. McCain won but on a part of the radar screen the media pundits were not focused on.
B. W.| 10.16.08 @ 12:16AM
You're kidding, right? This is satire that missed its mark, right? Tonight McCain consistently dove down into the weeds, scattered his points to the point of obtuseness, got off a few 'bon mots' from the RNC and crankily failed to make the case that we should have confidence in him as President. He's a nice man, a well-meaning man who made bad hires -- starting with Karl Rove acolytes on his campaign and continuing through his bizarre choice of V.P. -- and whose judgement during his campaign has demonstrated that he can't keep control over his own strategy so why would he be the 'maverick' that he has been (over-) painted to be? C'mon, Hillyer, get real OR are you living in the same Orwellian universe with Palin who thinks she was exonerated by the bi-partisan commission that found she had transgressed ethically in the Troopergate scandal?
yvonne Moultrie| 10.16.08 @ 12:17AM
mccain came across as angry, rude, and crotchety. those qualities do not make for a good debate. he was emotional - almost whiny regarding his hurt feelings. this is not what i'd expect from a president...very unprofessional and immature. surprising, considering his experience.
Sharon| 10.16.08 @ 12:18AM
McCain was much better than the prior debates. I hope it isn't too late. I just wish he had caught Obama's proposed policy of letting people take hardship withdrawals from IRAs/401ks without penalty. Senator Obama, that is already in the tax code. That idea was almost as good as eliminating the cap gains tax on small business investment for two years. How many small businesses offer stocks in which to invest? How long must property be held to be eligible for capital gains treatment? Senator McCain is supposed to be weak on economics? Obama is a blithering idiot, and no one calls him on it. Or he knows his proposals are meaningless but thinks they sound good and will fool voters. Unfortunately, too many fools do vote.
laloshi| 10.16.08 @ 12:32AM
this time you got it right he won big!!!!!!!!! and sorry but the times before you where wrong he won too,
Janice Janitor| 10.16.08 @ 12:43AM
Hey they didn't mention my name in the debate. I want to buy a new toilet with built-in MP3 player. Shame on you McCain.
cj| 10.16.08 @ 12:55AM
You folks are working REALLY hard to kid yourselves. I direct you to two moments from the debate:
McCain: ...women's "health" [makes quotes with fingers]
Obama: So that's Mr. Ayers.
A lot of people think a woman's health is important. Nobody except conspiracy theorists and Sean Hannity care about William Ayers.
Srejairs| 10.16.08 @ 1:09AM
Continue living in a fools paradise Mr. pundit. Whatever makes you happy. Its for just 3 more weeks that you have to remain in denial. McCain was sarcastic, testy and irritated throughout the debate. That turned people off no matter what he had to say. McCain's problem is that he cannot control his negativity and sarcasm no matter how hard he tries. Very temperamental indeed. Obama made sure he appeared presidential.
ruth| 10.16.08 @ 1:33AM
God help us if Obama, Reed and Pelosi run this country for the next four years. Marxists all, they will destroy us. Obama is an empty suit who makes pretty speeches but has accomplished nothing.
ruth| 10.16.08 @ 1:33AM
God help us if Obama, Reed and Pelosi run this country for the next four years. Marxists all, they will destroy us. Obama is an empty suit who makes pretty speeches but has accomplished nothing.
Rose | 10.16.08 @ 1:48AM
I thought McCain won--I liked the "if you wanted to run against George Bush you should have run four years ago!? He was not grumpy--I don't know why people keep saying that--they must have had their talking points in hand before the debate!
jz| 10.16.08 @ 2:05AM
He totally did look angry. If you watched the debates with the sound off -- realizing that the points the candidates make are more or less irrelevant to people compared to the feeling people take away about each candidate -- you would have more clearly spotted the story line: McAngry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGzfYOp34d8
smartblackboy| 10.16.08 @ 5:22AM
Barack Obama won by being smooth jazz - boring but soothing. http://womenartmoney.blogspot.com/2008/10/barack-obama-is-smooth-jazz-boring-but.html
Julie| 5.28.09 @ 4:27PM
You know there is a website that sells subliminal music and says that it is based on scientific research (some double blind study). Apparently you can use the subliminal music programs to lose weight, quit smoking etc etc. Has anyone ever used subliminal music before? And if so, what were the results?