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McCain

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In the third presidential debate, the candidates were finally given a chance to direct their greviances straight at the face of the other candidate and at the same time, defend themselves. This was a must-win for McCain while Obama just needed to avoid any major gaffes and appear presidential. I think McCain slightly edged this last debate. However, it is nowhere near the spectacular victory that the republican needed to reduce the gap between him and Obama

For a good first half hour, McCain demonstrated a passion that would have endeared him to the Americans that are hurting under the current economic climate. Despite a seated format for the debate, he was able to connect with the audience on the issues that matter. Obama, on the other hand, appeared subdued and flat. In this half hour, he was on the defensive most of the time, with McCain providing the initiative in leading the discussion and directing questions at Obama. He was much more effective and forceful in articulating his policies than in previous debates. This was no doubt Obama's worst debate performance of the three. Then again, McCain was the one that needed to raise his game. Obama just needed to be in cruise control.

By invoking "Joe the plumber", McCain introduced some seeds of doubt into Obama's economic policies. This was not really a master-stroke but worked for McCain to some extent, which was partly due to Obama's inability to defend his economic policies adequately. It was only after the debate that Obama started to point out what he should have done in the debate itself: "How many plumbers you know earn more than a quarter million a year?"

The moment of the campaign undoubtedly belonged to McCain when he told Obama that he is no Bush. That probably resonated more than any of the other lines he had prepared. Throughout this campaign, McCain has been saddled by the reputation of the Bush administration and he has struggled to distance himself from the incumbent. This debate has helped,to some extent, burn that bridge and further reinforce his maverick image.

Overall, this was McCain's best debate performance. However, it was not enough to swing the momentum back to his favor. Obama gave a very safe and assured performance. That McCain performed better than Obama in this debate is perhaps due more to a matter of circumstance: McCain needed a game-changer while Obama just needed to be there.

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