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Results so far:
| McCain | 38% | 19 votes | Total: 50 votes | |
| Obama | 62% | 31 votes |
McCain
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Add to FavoritesShow Down At Ole Miss
September 26, 2008 can now be added to the illustrious history of the University of Mississippi as it hosted the presidential debates. In a time when our country is facing uncertain financial crisis, the coming debates kept us in suspense until the news that Senator John McCain would be participating finally came. Concerned with the difficulties on Wall Street, Senator McCain felt it was his duty to put aside politics and put the country first.
The debating arena was darkened and the audience was asked to be silent during the debate. This all added to the suspense. As the two candidates approached the podiums they both gave the appearance of a possible leader. Then the debates began. Because of the financial crisis facing this country, the agenda for the debates changed somewhat. It was originally supposed to address foreign policy, which is undeniably a strength for Senator McCain, but wound up to be a two part forum. The first questions concerned the financial Bail out Plan that is currently being put together in Washington.
Obama spoke first giving his views of where the country stands in the financial crisis we are in. While he tried hard to connect to the "main street people", his words came across as a typical "politicians" speech which tries to address everything he thinks a voter wants to hear. He gave his four requirements for the Wall Street Bail Out Plan then continued on with the old "blame game" stating that Senator McCain was more of the Bush administration. Next Senator McCain responded. His voice was gentle but serious. "Have no doubt about the magnitude of this crisis", he began. He spoke of failures of business, main street people losing their jobs, credit and their homes. But Senator McCain did not choose to play the "blame game". As a true leader would, he acknowledged the need for both parties, Republican and Democrats to come together as Americans to solve the financial crisis.
When the question was asked "Will you vote for the bail out", Senator Obama gave a cautious response, sounding as though he did not want to commit in case it turned out badly. John McCain acknowledged that he would vote for it as he feels it is necessary. He spoke with confidence. The second half of the debate focused on foreign policy. Senator McCain spoke fondly of a bracelet that was given to him by the Mother of a soldier. Senator Obama promptly pointed out that he also wore the bracelet of a soldier. It was unfortunate for him though that he forgot the name of the boy whose bracelet he wore stumbling to look down at the name. It came across as someone who wore it for "show" and not because it meant anything to him. The debate heated up as the candidates disagreed about many things. One issue that came up was that Senator Obama apparently did not understand the difference between a "strategy" and a "tactic". Without that understanding he did not come across confident in what must be done concerning the troops. He didn't seem to see the connection between the different countries of Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Another issue of heated debate was when Senator Obama said that "I reserve the right as president to meet with anybody at any time in the place of my choosing". He went on to state that Henry Kissinger, who was one of Senator McCains advisors agreed with him on that point. (However the day after the debate ABC published an article which stated that Henry Kissinger agreed with McCain and not Obama. )Senator Obama did realize his mistake and tried to nervously explain his way out of it, but the damage had been done. He seemed to falter quite a bit during the debate and spent a lot of time agreeing with Senator McCain, Perhaps realized he was out of his league since this was more of an actual "talk" to people and not a "scripted politician speech" which he is well known for. This time his actual understanding of the words he speaks about were tested. I was also surprised that he addressed Senator McCain as "John". It seemed to show a certain lack of respect on his part.
Both men had the "look" of a president and both men did "Ole Miss" proud, but in the end the clear winner was McCain. Cool, confident and knowledgeable he came across as the teacher who debated the student.
Learn more about this author, Sherry Denecker.
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Obama
Many experts expected John McCain to win the first debate. It was to focus on foreign policy, an area in which John McCain is considered strong. Unfortunately for John McCain, though, the first part of the debate focused on the current financial crisis in the USA, an area in which John McCain appeared uncomfortable. As the debate progressed and turned to foreign policy, John McCain became more comfortable and aggressive, but Barack Obama responded forcefully to his attacks.
It was a surprise that John McCain opened his remarks by noting that Ted Kennedy was back in the hospital. He referred to Senator Kennedy as a dear friend and lion in the senate. This may have served to remind voters that John McCain has often voted against his party and is capable of working with both parties to pass legislation. However, it may have also reminded them that Ted Kennedy supports Barack Obama, a fellow Democrat.
While discussing economic issues, Barack Obama told listeners that John McCain wants to provide tax cuts for oil corporations, a charge which John McCain did not respond to. Barack Obama also emphasized that he wants to provide tax cuts to the middle class and not only to the wealthiest Americans. This may have helped to connect John McCain to the policies of President Bush.
John McCain definitely performed better on foreign policy issues than on economic ones. He argued that it is a mistake to publicly talk about striking at Al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan. This was a very good point, but as Barack Obama mentioned, coming from a man who has openly talked about the extinction of North Korea and sung about bombing Iran, his criticism is not so credible.
Barack Obama pointed out that Henry Kissinger is one of John McCain's advisors. This was an excellent way to point out that John McCain is a man who is stuck in the past. This served to connect John McCain to policies of the past in voters' minds. He clearly irritated John McCain when he noted that even Henry Kissinger has agreed for the need to have talks with Iran. However, John McCain responded that Henry Kissinger has never argued for the need to have talks at the presidential level. He also accused Barack Obama of using the word "preparations" to obscure his willingness to meet with world leaders without any pre-conditions. However, Barack Obama answered confidently when he stated that he would be willing to meet with a world leader at a time and place of his choosing if it would help the United States of America.
John McCain accused Barack Obama of misunderstanding the difference between a tactic and a strategy with respect to Iraq. He argued that the surge in Iraq was a strategy but this was not so. The surge in Iraq was a tactic, a short-term plan with the strategic aim of stabilizing Iraq and making it possible for Iraq to manage its own security in the long term. Barack Obama skilfully pointed out that John McCain talks about the Iraq War as if it had started in 2007 when in fact it started in 2003.
The body language of the two men was rather different. Barack Obama often addressed John McCain directly and looked into his eyes. On the other hand, John McCain tended to look at the moderator Jim Lehrer but not at Barack Obama. While Barack Obama appeared poised and confident, John McCain looked tense and at times even irritated.
John McCain was aggressive during parts of the discussion on foreign policy, but may have been surprised by the confident and well-prepared responses of Barack Obama. He displayed knowledge of foreign policy by mentioning the names of former Soviet leaders, but this may have also reminded voters that John McCain is an old politician of questionable health who would be the nation's oldest president if elected. It probably would have been better for him to mention the names of the current leaders of Afghanistan and Iraq to show that he is not mired in the past but firmly focused on the present.
Behind in the polls, John McCain probably wanted a decisive victory in his first debate. However, Barack Obama looked well-prepared and responded very well to all of John McCain's attacks. The first debate was actually very close, but since John McCain was expected to do better than his Democratic opponent, the victor was probably Barack Obama.
Learn more about this author, Les Zsoldos.
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