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Blog Entry 23 of 24 Another Home Office Inmate
Just another web consultant whose boss is a complete slave driver. But I take my revenge by reading - a lot - when he's not looking. I believe in the role of government to help improve society, but I'm fully aware of the dangers of entrenched bureacracy and the how money corrupts. I'm not so much a liberal as I am appalled by what passes for modern conservatism. And as the pendulum swings back and the left finds its voice and strength again, I'm ready to damn its excesses. "To you, I'm an atheist. To God, I'm the loyal opposition."

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~HomeOfficeInmate

Winning the battle, losing the war

Contributed by: Ralph Dosser   on 9/27/2008

John McCain got an expensive lesson in the difference between tactical and strategic in Friday night's debate - he gained a narrow tactical victory, but suffered a big strategic defeat.

The tactical victory: Going by debate rules, McCain edged out a win over Barack Obama by "landing blows" and dominating the discussion. He talked over his opponent and kept the initiative, and Obama failed to thoroughly push back. Obama had plenty of moments, but McCain effectively stayed on the attack for most of the evening and narrowly "won on points" - that was the consensus of the press and pundits who follow politics for a living.

The strategic defeat: McCain did not look presidential. He came across as an angry old man, clamping down on rage and refusing to even look his opponent in the eye. Obama, in very stark contrast, was calm, composed and civil at all times. He talked about people as well as issues, and connected with the viewers on a personal level. That was the consensus of the undecided voters who watched, and that's what's going to help him put away this election.

McCain is losing this election, and badly needed to shake things up Friday night. With the debate focused on foreign policy - supposedly McCain's strong suit - this was his big chance, maybe his last chance. And he blew it.

In many ways this was one of the finest and most substantive debates in years. Both candidates were prepared and eloquent. They had plenty of time to make their points - it wasn't a duel of sound bites. They delved deep into some issues, to the obvious enjoyment of the professional commentators.

But the undecideds are the prize right now, the "mushy middle" that is just now starting to pay attention. It's hard for a lot of us political junkies to believe, but Friday night was the first substantive exposure a lot of Americans got to Obama and McCain They weren't listening to deep policy details, but instead were asking: who cared about their problems?. Who was reassuring? Who was convincing? Who looked and sounded like a president?

The answer was clear. Polls of undecided voters run by CNN and CBS after the debate gave Obama the win by a substantial margin, as did several focus groups.

What was the difference? Ask Al Gore - he lost the first debate against George Bush by his attitude, not because of the issues. Ask Jimmy Carter, who lost the second debate against Ronald Reagan because of his opponent's sunny disposition.

John McCain was not pleasant to watch Friday night. He refused to look his opponent in the eye (was it contempt or fear?). His eyebrows were continually raised, his posture hunched and defensive. His smile frequently looked forced. His eyes - bugged out and blinking rapidly - were just plain freaky. He didn't look comfortable or poised, he looked tense and angry, like he did not want to be there. He continually talked down to Obama, and every time he did the focus groups - and presumably the watchers at home - recoiled.

Obama, on the other hand, was cool and poised, even when calling McCain out for being dishonest. He was respectful of his opponent and the event. He talked about people as well as issues. He connected.

In the end, that carried the night. And possibly the entire election.



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Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/4/2008 @ 11:45:55 PM
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"Angry old fuddy-duddy" "Aloof and snotty" Is that "healthy debate" or simple, school-yard name calling? When an argument is lost, the loser calls names.
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Submitted By: David Brown
posted on 9/28/2008 @ 10:08:41 PM
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Yeah - Lehrer tried his best to get the two to address each other but for some reason McCain didn't want to oblige. McCain directed his answers at the moderator, who was sitting lower - that's why it seemed like he was looking down. But I didn't think Obama was "cool and poised." He was clearly rattled on several occasions. I can give you 'the night' if barely but I think it's a stretch to say he carried the election with 2 more debates to go. I wonder where that commercial that has Obama saying "I agree with Senator..." like, 13 times is! I heard they were already working on it. Maybe they're saving it.
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Submitted By: Kaye Fissinger
posted on 9/28/2008 @ 8:57:21 PM
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Ralph, if you've read my earlier post, you know my judgment of McCain's inability to run this nation. Everytime I watch him, it only further solidifies my conclusions. I've always studied eyes and your comments about McCain's were observant. It's a cliche, but he does look "like a deer caught in the headlights." What I suspect is that you see fear of exposure. I don't think he's able to absorb newer information and is running on what he knew or concluded from times past. We're on a precipice, pushed there by many foreign and domestic policy failures. McCain doesn't have the wherewithal to keep the nation from falling off. Between McCain and a running mate chosen by the worst of judgment, if he should win (which I sincerely doubt), none of us will ever see another American Century.
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Submitted By: marilyn wray
posted on 9/28/2008 @ 7:38:28 AM
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Good Points. Obama is real and human and that is what we need in a president. McCain is a stuffy, angry old fuddy duddy who really can't say much. Sad, very sad. He might have been a great man or president at one time, but he is past his prime and needs to go live in one of his 7 McMansions and enjoy his golden years. The man is not well.
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Submitted By: Doug Wray
posted on 9/27/2008 @ 9:21:38 PM
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Bottom line: I like Obama - McCain's just aloof and snotty, not respectful. He is NOT allowed to live in MY WHITE HOUSE.
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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Ralph Dosser

Longmont , CO

Ralph Dosser has posted 24 blog entries and 298 comments since joining on 5/16/2007. Ralph Dosser 's average blog rating is 3.06.
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