I think McCain clearly demonstrated that he was the more experienced candidate and I think he kept Obama on the defensive many times during the debate. It didn't help that Obama sometimes tried to interrupt, although I do understand his frustration with McCain's mischaracterizations. With the Iraq War, Obama should have emphasized that just because McCain got one thing right (the surge) doesn't excuse the fact that McCain got just about everything else wrong. But he didn't do that and I wonder how many voters will buy into the McCain is a "maverick" slogan. However, I did think Obama really distinguished himself at the end in his bit about the failure of McCain and the adminstration to recognize that foreign policy is bigger than just Iraq and how our tunnel-vision focus on Iraq has allowed China and Russia to fill the void where we once would have exerted our influence. I thought that was the best (and most intelligent) moment of the whole debate. I liked this format - it seemed to be a real debate at times rather than just an exchange of talking points.
I would have to give Obama a D and McCain a B+ on this one. If anything, Joe Biden came off much better than Obama in the 2 minutes NBC had him on folowing the debate. Obama was too academic and passive letting McCain off the hook far too many times. In particular, Obama did a horrendous job fending off McCain's criticism regarding his stance on the surge by simply broadening the perspective retrospectively. He needed to be hammering home the point that the intent of the surge is simply to create the breathing room for the political process, a process still in its fragile infancy. That's not victory without achieving the designated benchmarks.
it sounded to me that Obama's attitude towards Pakistan was more offensive. it sounded like he is willing to do something regardless what Pakistan has to say. at least McCain is willing to cooperate first. the problem is Pakistan is not clear cut. even if the government is willing to try more, it doesn't mean they are going to be effective. but still, you don't attack a sovereign nation like that.
but obama stated several times that he wouldn't just attack pakistan, only when we had al qaeda leader ship in our sights and the pakistani government was unwilling to do anything... why you believe that obama is promoting unconditional military attacks on ally countries is absurd.
I'd say this was close. If people paid attention to the issues tonight I think they both made their broad views clear and it's up to people to decide. I hope undecideds leaned one way or another after tonight based on them. If we're talking about 'change', it's pretty clear McCain is more of the same of the current admin. As far as debating styles, Obama was more complementary, McCain more combative. Depending on the type of person you are you preferred one or the other. Obama was also more active in trying to correct what he thought were incorrect or misleading McCain statements. Again, depending on the type of person you are, you either saw it as being defensive or assertive in calling McCain out.
I think it'd be badass if Obama did that. Added with a punch to Ahmadinejad's face. Of course war would happen, but whatever.
Obama pulled his punches a lot in this debate. There were several places where he could have ripped Johnny a new one... I think he's too conscious (or maybe not, given the polling) of coming across in any way as an angry black man.
i doubt the people there would be happy if that's the case. that certainly isn't going to help the international image.
So, i guess we just hope Pakistan is using our money to fix the problems in their mountainous region near the border with Afghanistan? We wouldnt be invading the capital. Just the remote areas where al-qaeda is.
How do you think the following will play with middle aged voters in Ohio: 1) Obama showing disrespect by calling Senator McCain "John" 2) Obama trying to sound "native" by calling the country "Pock-is-tan" 3) Obama disrespectfully interrupting and snickering while McCain was speaking poorly on all fronts is my answer
on economy: both fail. on foreign policy: Mccain comes off a bit rigid, but clearly shows experience and depth in understanding the issue. Obama is eloquent and prepared, but Obama also seems reciting policy papers, but his own realizations based on his work.
