My Dad’s a Reagan Democrat — more Democrat, than Reagan, but still. That’s why I often look to him, at crucial political moments, to gauge how something might be playing outside my own head.
Dad, I said this morning. What’d you think of the debate?
“McCain was squirming all over the place,” he said.
I pressed him on it. What do you mean by squirming?
“With that little half-smile he has 90 percent of the time — like he has disdain for his opponent.”
What about Obama? How’d he do?
“I think Obama handled himself very well — McCain looked like a tired old man,” Dad said. “Obama looked just like a president should: Cool, calm, with all the facts.”
Dad keeps going back to this — that Obama seems presidential.
McCain got in some zingers last night (“You didn’t tell the truth to the American people,” “I am not President Bush,” “Why would you want to increase anyone’s taxes right now?”). Especially for the first third of the debate, McCain had Obama firmly on the defensive. Obama wasn’t so much flat as he was muted and unfocused in his response.
I was disappointed, frankly, that Obama didn’t punch back harder, as he’s done in past debates. As my Uncle Jon pointed out, when McCain accused him of playing class warfare by “spreading around the wealth,” Obama could have hit back with: “Republicans have been playing class warfare at the expense of the middle class for decades.” When the moderator asked Obama if he felt Palin was qualified, Obama could have just answered, flatly: “No.” (Also Jon’s idea.) I understand that Obama wanted to seem above the fray, but the moderator asked him a direct question, and he dodged it. And why did he let McCain get away with changing the subject from McCain’s bloodthirsty rallies, making it seem as if Obama was somehow criticizing Korean War vets? Why didn’t Obama demand that McCain repudiate those comments?
It makes me nervous. As any sports fan will tell you, when you play to run out the clock — when you stop trying to score — you always always always lose.
What my Dad is trying to tell me, I think, is that Obama did score — probably, in the way that matters most.
ND,
FWIW, I think your dad is far more liberal than a Reagan Democrat.
That disagreement aside, I disagree with you and Jon on this one. Obama could have scored rhetorical poitns, at the cost of being off his message of being presidential and not having to counter every point. Or, he can get himself elected and have 4 or 8 yers of a bully pulppit along with the power to make things happen. I think he made the right choice. After all, everything in a campaign is a trade off.
I think that absent something that is truly a black swan, this election is over and Obama wins and wins big. And I think the likelihood of his winning is wellover 95%.
Start to work relaxed, not worried. We are marching on to vicotry. We just need to finish strong.
Loyal
As I reread my post, I guess my real point is that Obama not only looked like a President, he acted like a soon to be President.
Loyal
JR-
It was nearly painful for me to turn off the Phillies game, as I am certain you know. However, it was far more important to watch this last critical debate, so turn off my team, I did.
I have enormous respect for your father and I am confident in his opinion. I see that smile – which I feel is more of a smirk – and, honestly, it gives me chills.
Obama’s cool persona is the mark of his character. A character which does not allow him to lower himself to level John McCain was willing to venture into. That is absolutely presidential. Rather than taking return shots at an irrational man, he allowed us to form our on opinion. Sometimes no answer is more an answer than words can carry. It is not a sign of weakness, but of great human integrity and strength to stand in the face of those who would knock you down and hold your head up high.
As for me, I was proud of Barack Obama and even more assured that my choice is a sound one. I was glad to hear issues I can not recall having been discussed previously, Roe v. Wade, and education among them. I felt that Obama scored points where they mattered most, by calmly explaining his position and telling us to make our choice based on that.
Loyal is also an astute viewer – he did not act merely presidential, but acted as a man who will soon be our president. Not cocky, but confident – not childish and irrational, but steady and even tempered. This man genuinely cares about the people of this country. So it’s not “country first” but people first. Is that not what he need most right now?
Eileen
Eileen-
Last night was why TIVO was made!
I’ll pass your comment along to dad — I know he feels the same about you. Love your post. I thought Obama’s answer on Roe v. Wade was among his best: He stated his position clearly and firmly, while emphasizing with the other side, and trying to find common ground (ie, abortions should be reduced, through education, etc.) Meanwhile, McCain said unequivocally that he was not for litmus tests, except when he’s for litmus tests.
Loyal-
I hope your right. It doesn’t feel like 95 percent in the bag — not even close. I’m not sure I work well relaxed. See my next post …