The Final Debate: The Calm and The Mocking

In many ways, this was a better debate.  McCain seemed to find his fire for the first time - and he seemed decidedly more comfortable with himself.  Maybe it’s because he’s seated, and at 72,  that’s got to be physically more comfortable, but whatever the reason, he was more animated and more engaged.

In the first segment of the debate, his animation worked.  He was connecting well, strongly, and he tossed out what was by far his best line so far: "If you wanted to run against George Bush, you should have run 4 years ago!"

But as the debate went on, the fire seemed to be less passion for his own plans and vision of the country, and more passion for attacking his opponent. 

Again and again and again, at each question, McCain attacked, while Obama stayed calm, answered quickly, and turned the topic back to the issues.  Even when asked about the negative tone of the debate,  McCain again went on the attack.  Frankly, I’m tired of hearing about ear marks, and I cannot believe McCain brought up that Planetarium projector again.   Egads. 

The moment that sticks with me the most? Watching McCain’s face on a split screen while Obama spoke. Several times McCain’s disdain was evident and exaggerated as he dropped his jaw and stared as if in shocked disbelief.    (even though what Obama was saying certainly wasn’t new.

A  clear difference in their style? When asked about one another’s running mates, and if they were qualified to lead the country, Obama refused to take the bate and slam Palin.  McCain, on the other hand, took the opportunity to attack Biden’s foreign policy record (one of Biden’s strengths)

McCain did better than in the previous debates, but I doubt it changes much of anything.  I felt like when Obama spoke into the camera, he was connecting better.  McCain still came across as somewhat erratic and scattered, without a clear message.  The "Joe the Plumber" business was just too much, mentioned too many times, and rather insulting to me (as a member of the middle class with a husband in blue-collar management) but at least it’s a step up from "Joe Six-Pack" (at least Joe isn’t drunk now, just needs to pull up his pants)

Taking Personal Offense. Hrrmph.

Joe The Plumber aside, the most insulting aspect was that twice, McCain derided Obama for being "eloquent" — as if speaking well is a bad thing.    He implied that if we actually listened to Obama’s words, we’d hear how empty they are.

I do listen.  And I don’t find them empty at all. In fact he’s the first politician who I’ve ever heard speak who speaks in *my* language, with the vocabulary and speech patterns I grew up with, the vocabulary and speech patterns I use, the vocabulary and speech patterns that I’ve had to suffer through other people calling "empty words" and "eloquent but meaningless" through most of my life. 

Maybe that’s part of why McCain’s (and Palin’s) attacks on Obama land with such an empty thud for me - because so often, I can imagine those same things being said about me, and see them as attacks on some of my better qualities.   My (sometimes) eloquence, my intellect, my discernment, my judgement, my willingness to consider options at the same time I draw hard lines, my forgiveness, my understanding and compassion and my belief in rehabilitation. 

Anyway.

I think McCain made his base happy by going after Obama, pushing on issues like abortion, and so on, and that was really important for him in a week where Republicans were starting to do the rats-from-a-sinking-ship thing.  And during the first part of the debate, I think he strengthened people’s confidence in him, in regards to the economy.

But I don’t think he won many undecided voters, either - because Obama certainly didn’t loose points.   And I doubt McCain won over any current Obama supporters (may in fact have driven most of us further away).   Obama on the other hand may have swayed some undecided voters - I can’t say why, exactly, it’s just a gut feeling, something about the way he refused to be drawn directly into a fight, and kept speaking directly into the camera.

I’ll close by mentioning the opening, and closing, of the debate.

It’s clear that McCain has taken the criticisms of him to heart.  In the last two debates, it was noted that he wouldn’t look at Obama, and wouldn’t shake hands.

This go round, he made an exaggerated point of doing both, shaking hands firmly, patting Obama on the back, and saying "Good job, good job, good job" quite loudly.

I’m just weary of the game. 

Oh yeah. Final thought?

Obama won this one.