by Debra Roof

Created on: October 03, 2008

After watching the first Presidential debate between these two men, I have concluded several things about the mind-set of each of them. I do not claim to be psychic, here, just extremely aware of body language.

John McCain seemed to have been stuffed into his suit, and his neck looked uncomfortable in his shirt and tie. I expected him to do a Rodney Dangerfield impression at any minute, in order to be able to breathe. Barack Obama seemed to have picked a well-fitted suit, with a shirt and a necktie that did not seem to be wringing his neck. The difference here is that McCain came across as a comedian; Obama came across as a well-dressed businessman.

McCain seemed bent on being rude to Obama by doing the very thing he insists he will do, as President, with foreign leaders who do not see things his way; not looking at Obama equalled paying him no attention. Even the moderator attempted to get him to turn and look at his opponent, to no avail. Obama, on the other hand, was extremely respectful of his rival, looking towards him, even when he was spewing out-right lies about him. The not-so-subtle difference in this area? McCain came across as a brat, snubbing anyone who he takes a dislike to; Obama came across as someone who is willing to listen, and who will be willing to extend the hand of friendship to try to come up with a policy that everyone involved will be pleased with.

McCain seemed to want to make one point, repeatedly, to the point of making me want to say, "Enough, already!", and that was that Obama just 'does not understand the danger of sitting down with foreign leaders without preconditions'. Obama tried to get across that there is more danger in not speaking to a foreign leader, at all. As the old adage says: "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies even closer". McCain intends to continue the school-yard mind-set by snubbing those countries who do not meet his preconditions. Obama seems to realize that not knowing what our enemies were doing was the ultimate reason we were caught unawares for 9/11; he plans to keep in touch in more ways than one, it seems.

With this type of message coming across the television screen, the difference between a President McCain and a President Obama may well boil down to world-wide peace versus world-wide war. Another adage came to mind while I watched this debate: "Walk softly and carry a big stick". McCain does not seem to be able to grasp this concept, even though he comes across as an ex-soldier in his

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