Obama and McCain’s Second Presidential Debate Recap
I was ready. I prepared for the debate last night like I would for a full day of watching football. I put out a bunch of snacks and a gallon of water – I need to drink more water. I even make a quick bathroom run so I wouldn’t have to in the middle of the debate and miss anything. Set the DVR to record and sat back ready to enjoy the evening. The town hall debate is where John McCain shines. That’s where he feels most at home. He’s done hundreds of them. He knows the feel and flow of the room. This is where he will separate himself from Barack Obama. Show how he is man of the people. Show how he is the leader we need to take us into the next decade. I’m ready….
I was unimpressed. Completely. While John McCain did a smidgen better than he did in the first debate, he didn’t hit it out of the park, which of course he needed to do because of his failing numbers in the polls. I still saw McCains obvious disdain for Barack Obama. It was evident in his mannerisms during the debate and after the debate when both candidates and their wives were talking with the people in the room. I still think it’s looks really bad for John McCain. I can see many different reasons for it. Firstly, he’s trying to give off the impression that he’s better than Obama. Not giving Obama the respect he deserves by pacing around the set while Obama is speaking. Reminiscent of Adm. Stockdale’s performance in the VP debate of 1992. Second, he’s losing and he’s not a gracious loser. Personally I think it’s both reasons.
Below is a portion of a report from CNN with some poll numbers regarding the debate. They are spot on and you may find some of them a bit surprising but nevertheless very telling of where this election is going.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) – A national poll of debate watchers suggests that Sen. Barack Obama won the second presidential debate.
Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain sparred about domestic policy during their second presidential debate.
Fifty-four percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey conducted after the debate ended said that Obama did the best job in the debate, with 30 percent saying Sen. John McCain performed better.
According to the poll, 64 percent had a favorable opinion of Obama after the debate, up four points from before the event. Fifty-one percent of those polled had a favorable opinion of McCain after the debate unchanged from before its start.
A majority said Obama seemed to be the stronger leader during the debate, 54 percent to 43 percent, and by a more than two to one margin — 65 percent to 28 percent — viewers thought Obama was more likable during the debate.
CNN polling director Keating Holland said Obamamade some gains on the leadership issue even before the debate.
“McCain’s advantage on leadership shrunk from 19 points in September to just five points this weekend,” Holland said. “If Obama can use this debate to convince Americans that he is a stronger leader thanMcCain, he may be difficult to defeat.” Watch entire debate:
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A majority of debate watchers polled thought Obama was more intelligent, by a 57 percent to 25 percent margin over McCain. Debate watchers also thought Obama more clearly expressed his views by a two to one margin, 60 percent to 30 percent.
Debate watchers questioned thought McCain, rather than Obama, spent more time attacking his opponent, with 63 percent saying McCain went more on the attack, as opposed to just 17 percent saying Obama.
Half of those polled said Obama answered questions more directly, 13 points ahead of McCain, and by a 14-point margin, debate watchers thought Obama seemed to care more about the problems of audience members who asked questions. Read entire transcript of debate
McCain did come out on top in one category that neither candidate wants to win. By a 16-point margin, debate watchers thought the Arizona senator seemed more like a typical politician during the debate.
“For McCain, the key finding may be that his favorable rating did not change at all,” Holland said. “It’s unclear whether Obama will gain any momentum from Tuesday night’s debate, but it looks like McCain will not do so. For a candidate who has consistently been a few points behind in national polls, that’s not a good sign.”
The poll suggests that independent voters thought Obama won the debate. Fifty-four percent of those identifying themselves as independents said the Illinois senator performed best, with 28 percent saying that McCain did the better job.
Personally I saw Obama very polished and Presidential. He has grown and learned over the last 2 years. He has a grasp of the issues and how to get his point across to the american people. He handles adversity well. He’s poised and knowledgeable in the face of hardship. He conveys a sense confidence and professionalism. He’s a man I can respect as our leader.
McCain didn’t look like any of that to me. He looked like he was desperate and looking for a kink in Obama’s armor. He was trying too hard to bring Obama down. McCain really needs focus on giving people a real reason to vote for him as opposed to giving us reason NOT to vote for Obama. That is a loser mentality. If John McCain feels so confident in his leadership abilities, in his foreign policy, economic policy etc. then he should be talking about that. Show me why you’re the better person to lead this country. Show me you have better ideas and plans. Show me you can be “Presidential” and not a cry baby.
