Upon completion of watching last night’s Presidential debate my first reactions were that McCain had started out slow but finished well and that Obama had, by merely being on the same stage, achieved some parity, some appearance of being presidential. It was the very effect that McCain had cautioned would happen to the likes of an Ahmadinejad if a president Obama were to sit down with him in direct talks. If Obama doesn’t understand this, (I’m sure that his handlers do!), then he’s either not really all that bright or he’s being disingenuous.

McCain hit hard on the experience theme, while Obama kept trying to tie McCain to the policies of the Bush administration. McCain hit back on his many run ins with Bush & Co. where he not only bucked the powers in power, but the wishes of the GOP base as well. I’m not sure that Barack can even comprehend ever supporting, much less pursuing, policies that were at odds with his party’s “base”.

There was a bit too much “he said, no he said” for me, and far too many stump-speech talking points being mouthed by both candidates, especially in the first half-hour. However, the debate format is much preferred from any other in recent memory and I thought that PBS’s Jim Lehrer by and large did an excellent job. He did try to keep them on track and answer the questions, especially in the beginning, and he didn’t go for any gotcha moments. We should be so lucky with the rest of these debates but I’ll not hold my breath on that one — I don’t look very good in blue. By the end of the evening there was pretty good back & forth between the two men, and that combativeness was finally bringing out glimpses of their inner character. McCain was getting tough, but not cranky or angry. Obama was beginning to dissemble a bit, getting stuck on defining minor differences and parsing words to no real effect. They truly don’t like each other much. I’m sure that Barack can’t understand why such a good-looking, smooth-talking guy like himself can’t put this ol’ geezer away post haste. For a refresher as to why McCain might hold the Senator from Illinois in a bit of contempt, see this post at Patterico.

For partisans, nothing was changed due to last night. Those that were going to vote for McCain will still do so, perhaps even more enthusiastically. Those predisposed to vote for Obama couldn’t possible imagine not doing so, no matter what would have happened on that stage. Independents and the undecideds are a different situation. Last night they got a good look, and for many not fully engaged in the campaign as yet maybe their first look, at these two men. I think that Barack Obama made a pretty good case that he is younger than John McCain. I also think that McCain made a damn fine case that his experience, in life as well as in government, trumps a great smile and some soaring, empty rhetoric — but that’s just me.

Hugh Hewitt found that Obama rambled far too many times and that his I’ve got a bracelet too whine was not a stellar moment. I actually thought that it was very detrimental to Obama in highlighting a fallen-soldier’s mother’s anti-war sentiment immediately after the McCain anecdote of a fallen-soldier’s mother’s plea to not let her son’s sacrifice be in vain. That was Obama’s hard-Leftism showing through bright and clear. He was showing that he can only understand the pain of a loss, not the significance of a sacrifice. That’s not a good quality in a potential Commander-in-Chief.

Roger Simon thought that McCain did rather well:

John McCain was very lucky that he decided to show up for the first presidential debate in Oxford, Miss., Friday night. Because he gave one of his strongest debate performances ever.

While Barack Obama repeatedly tried to link McCain to the very unpopular George W. Bush, Bush’s name will not be on the ballot in November and McCain’s will.

And McCain not only found a central theme but hit on it repeatedly. Obama is inexperienced, naïve, and just doesn’t understand things, McCain said.

Our Anchoress was moved to write this:

What was key here was that McCain was speaking from history and experience; Obama was talking from policy bull sessions. McCain was speaking from a place of wisdom come from age, Obama seemed a bit young at times. McCain was speaking, often, like a man talking to other men and women. Obama seemed like a policy wonk, with good notes. I’m not trying to be mean about Obama. McCain just seemed more alive, and more authentic. Clear, direct and sure of himself. Also, I had a sense of scope with McCain. He talked about the past because he has been part of it, and he talked about the future – a lot. Obama has no past, talked too much about the past, and too much about Bush. He’s not running against Bush. My bottom line: I want McCain answering the phone at 3AM.

And Laer at Cheat-Seeking Missiles brings up a salient point about Obama’s contention that America isn’t what she used to be:

One final thought: I think it really hurt Obama when he said America has lost its appeal, that kids around the world don’t feel the same way about us as kids in earlier generations did. Gee … I haven’t noticed immigration to our country slowing down … and I bet we will notice a lot of people taking offense to that phrase, just as they took offense to Michelle Obama’s only now becoming proud of America.

Hmmm, that does seem to be a continuing theme at the Obama household, doesn’t it? And, was anyone other than me a bit uncomfortable that Obama kept calling him “John”, in stead of Senator? A bit too chummy by half I would say, and totally disingenuous to boot. Another glimpse into the character of Barack Obama.

For me, one of McCain’s best points was made right at the end where it counts most as he said, “I don’t need any on-the-job training, I am ready to go at it right now.” Kinda reinforces what I wrote earlier in this piece, “experience, in life as well as in government, trumps a great smile and some soaring, empty rhetoric.”

So now, on to the next debate. Over at Hewitt’s blog, Beldar makes this comment about Thursday’s upcoming VP debate:

But most importantly, the Veep debate will be the first opportunity for Gov. Sarah Palin to be heard at length since her acceptance speech. Most folks don’t realize that in addition to debates during the 2006 Alaska GOP gubernatorial primary, Gov. Palin participated in something like 24 debates in 45 days against her two general election opponents.

Gov. Palin knows how to jab and move, and when she gets an opening, she can punch way harder than some folks expected. I also think she’ll benefit from being misunderestimated — both by the public and, probably, by her opponent — coming in. As with her convention speech, I await the Veep debate with some trepidation, but mostly with gleeful anticipation.

Come to think of it, me too!

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am and is filed under Here Comes McCain, Obama & His Slow Joe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  |   Print This Post  |   Email This Post

Recently Posted:

• Obamessiah Wants To Heal You With Obamacare — Are You Feelin’ Any Better Yet?
• Stars & Stripes NOT Flying At Main U.S. Relief Site In Haiti!
• Obamacare — The Last Big Push — Better Stock Up On The KY . . . You’re A Gonna Need It!
• Is Obamacare A Suicide Pact? Dems Are Gonna Find Out The Hard Way!
• Obamacare Vote Coming This Week — Dems To America — Sit Down! Shut Up! Take It Already!
• Salt To Be Banned In New York Restaurants?
• “Stop Obamacare” Babies — Heh!
• The Census & Your Race — Are You An ‘American”?
• Obama Comin’ After Your Rod, Reel & Bass Boat? — Hmmm . . . Maybe!
• “Only Glenn Beck Understands Me . . . There’s A Communist Living In The White House!”